Earth Overshoot Day: Humans Use 1.7× Natural Resources Faster than Earth’s Regeneration Process!

In recent decades, the world has faced significant environmental challenges. One of the main issues that is often overlooked is overshoot—a phenomenon that occurs when human consumption of resources exceeds the Earth’s regenerative capacity. This phenomenon has a direct impact on various sectors, from the economy to public health.

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s annual resource consumption exceeds what the earth can regenerate in one year. It measures the previous year’s activity in a country, and the result is that natural resource use always exceeds what the earth’s ecosystems can regenerate in that year. In 2024, Earth Overshoot Day falls earlier than ever before (Figure 1), indicating an increase in the rate of unsustainable consumption. This phenomenon is caused by many factors, including population growth, urbanization, and overconsumption.

Figure 1. Earth Overshoot Day Timeline from 1971-2024

This date was not just arbitrarily set as a day of remembrance. Based on Overshoot Day (2024), explaining that to determine the date of Earth Overshoot Day, the Global Footprint Network calculated the number of days that the Earth’s annual biocapacity could provide for human consumption. The calculation is not only based on environmental issues, but also social and economic issues. So when natural resources are depleted, the impact extends to the entire ecosystem and threatens the stability of life on earth.

The various impacts of Earth Overshoot have already shown many indications, in various sectors. For example, in agriculture, soil degradation and water scarcity threaten food security. Then in the health sector, increased air and water pollution causes various chronic diseases. In addition, the economic impacts of earth overshoot include increased production costs and decreased productivity.

How to Calculate Ecological Footprint?

To calculate the current size of human consumption, Global Footprint explains in a diagram that how much of the planet would be needed if everyone lived the lifestyle of the United States?

Figure 2. Number of Planets Required Based on Lifestyle in Developed Countries

This infographic (Figure 2) explains how large the ecological footprint of certain countries would be if the entire world population adopted their lifestyle. According to the Global Footprint Network’s calculations, the U.S.A. has an ecological footprint of 5 planets or five times the Earth’s resource capacity—when the world’s ecological footprint is calculated at 1.75 Earths. This suggests that if everyone in the world lived like the U.S.A. , we would need five times the planet’s capacity to support that lifestyle. This indicates a very high and unsustainable consumption of resources.

In second place is Australia, which has an ecological footprint of 4.7 planets. Australia’s lifestyle is almost on par with the United States in terms of resource consumption, Australia would need 4.7 planets to be sustainable if adopted by the entire world population.

Holistic Steps to Address Earth Overshoot

The lifestyles described in the infographic show the threat to the planet’s sustainability. The lifestyles of developed countries prompt us to realize the importance of reducing our ecological footprint in achieving global sustainability. These figures show the urgency of changing current consumption and production patterns to reduce pressure on natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for future generations. So to overcome earth overshoot requires a holistic approach involving various sectors with alternatives such as:

• Reducing Consumption and Waste: Adopting a more sustainable lifestyle by minimizing consumption and managing waste more efficiently.
• Utilizing Renewable Energy: Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources like solar and wind to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Restoring forests, wetlands, and other critical ecosystems to boost Earth’s regenerative capacity.
• Technological Innovation: Promoting environmentally friendly and efficient practices in production and consumption through technological advances.

It is important to recognize that every individual and organization has a role to play in addressing earth overshoot. Global collaboration and policies that support sustainability are key to ensuring a better future for future generations.

With your current lifestyle, are you supporting the sustainability of planet earth?