2019-07-28

What is Overshoot Day?

Written by Matías Olivieri
Rate this item
(0 votes)
Earth Overshoot Day 1970-2019 Earth Overshoot Day 1970-2019 Global Footprint Network

Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. In 2019 it lands on July 29th.

Starting July 29th, all inhabitants of Earth live on a loan.

This day marks humanity has consumed all the resources that Earth can provide in a year in a sustainable way. That means that everything that humanity consumes by December 31, 2019 exceeds the real limits of what the Earth is capable of giving us (we would need 1.75 Earths to be sustainable, but we only have one).

If you look at the graphic, you will see that since 1970, where the excess date was December 29, we have been depleting Earth's resources in an increasingly way. It is urgent to discuss this reality and demand the political and business powers that promote and sustain this system of consumption and extractivism, that the issue is addressed. We need our quality of life is truly improved without destroying the Earth, in which we all live.

If everyone committed to #MoveTheDate by 5 days each year, we could get out of the global ecological deficit before 2050.

Take your first step today! https://www.overshootday.org/steps-to-movethedate

Read 16215 times

Related items

Argentina: A Dream Fulfilled

Argentina. A land of many ecosystems and one of the largest countries in South America. As a young adult, I dreamt of visiting Argentina, especially after reading Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara’s, “The Motorcycle Diaries,” and seeing the movie thereafter. Although the story and book focused on Che Guevara’s life, images of the Argentine landscape could not escape my mind. So, I decided to learn more about Argentina’s ecosystems and communities in various parts of the country via my studies.

'Ecology without a social fight is simply gardening': Kasia's experience at Comunidad Milpa

Over the weekend, Neil, Milena, and I visited Comunidad Milpa, a project outside of Buenos Aires city towards Tigre. Having got up early to get the bus from Plaza Italia, what struck me on arrival was how industrial the area is. I was told that this part of town was home to several factories, among them the Ford production plant. With the backdrop of this industrial landscape, Comunidad Milpa felt somewhat out of place, which is perhaps exactly why it makes perfect sense that it is situated here.

Exchange as a Strategy for Another Possible Construction: An Interview with Isaac and Quinn

Get to know more about Quinn and Isaac experience in the sustainability project!

From face-to-face volunteer to online volunteer: Sonia's testimony

Sonia volunteered a few years ago in Buenos Aires and she decided to be an online volunteer during the pandemic. Get to know more about her story here:

Through Julia's experience: What is it like to teach English as an online volunteer?

Julia tells us a little bit about her experience, what's she learning from it, and how she feels about online volunteering! Find out more in this interview:

Navigating the Pandemic: Luci's Testimony

This time we share the testimony of Luci, who describes the difficult situation in the vulnerable neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires. 

Navigating the Pandemic: Liliana's Testimony

We keep in touch with the organizations in the network to know how they are holding up, how the community is doing, and what challenges they see ahead.

Login to post comments