Wednesday, 1 August 2018

Today Is Earth Overshoot Day

Not a day of celebration, but rather one of reflection. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when we (all of humanity) have used more from nature than our planet can renew in the entire year.

You can read more about this here, and you can calculate your own personal 'footprint' here . The footprint calculator is fairly rough and ready - but I was ashamed to discover that I need 1.1 earths and my day is in mid-November. I need to consume fewer animal products and use less electricity! At least I rarely fly in a plane - that really does mess up the ecosystem.
The website has a helpful section on "Steps to move the date" - simple ways in which we can all make a difference. "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed" said Mahatma Gandhi, more than seventy years ago. 
What lifestyle changes would you recommend, to better care for our planet?


  1. Worrying facts that people in some places won't believe!
    I also heard how many people in this country always spend more than they earn - that was a scary amount too.
    Goodness knows how it will all end

  2. Very thought provoking post, Angela! I worked as an environmental specialist for 30 of my 37 years of working, analyzing the impact of proposed development projects on the environment, in terms of air pollution, land fills, demand on water and energy, etc.


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