Humanity has consumed their 'Budget' of natural resources for 2016
What's the story
According to the latest report from the Global Footprint Network, humanity has consumed their 'budget' of natural resources for 2016.
In layman terms, humanity has consumed all the natural resources that the Earth can regenerate in one year.
Known as 'Earth Overshoot Day', it is a bleak reminder of the fact that humanity is living well beyond sustainable means.
Earth Overshoot Day
What is Earth Overshoot Day?
Earth Overshoot Day, declared annually, marks the day by which humanity uses up the resources the Earth can regenerate in a year.
It is declared by a non profit research group with a focus on sustainable living called the Global Footprint Network.
It is declared for humanity as a whole, taking into account a huge amount of data on several parameters for every country.
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How is Earth Overshoot Day calculated?
The exact date of Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by a formula which takes into account the natural resources available on Earth, divides it by the amount of resources humanity uses up, and multiplies it by the number of days in the year.
History
Earth Overshoot Day over the years
Up till the 1960s, humanity had been living within its means, consuming resources that Earth could reproduce.
However, in 1970, humanity overstepped its bounds, consuming its quota of natural resources by 23rd December.
Since then, the date has been moving up the calendar.
In 2014, humanity used up its quota of natural resources on 19th August, and in 2015, the date became 13th August.
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Rate of advancement of Earth Overshoot Day is slowing down
Since the 1970s, Earth Overshoot Day has been advancing up the calendar at an average rate of three days per year. However, over the last five years, the average rate of advancement has slowed down to one day per year, although 2014-2015 was an exception.
Positive Efforts
Efforts made by countries to reduce their ecological footprints
In spite of the bleak scenario, several countries have taken positive steps.
Costa Rica managed to generate 97% of its electricity needs from renewable sources for the first 3 months of 2016.
Germany, Britain and Portugal managed to generate 100% of their electricity needs from renewable sources for several days in 2016.
One can only hope for similar efforts from all countries.
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Carbon Footprint and Earth Overshoot Day
CO2 emissions make up 60% of humanity's ecological footprint i.e. humanity's impact on nature. If the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference are to be achieved, humanity needs to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
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Countries and their impact on Earth
If the Earth's entire population lived like Australians do, humanity would need 5.4 Earths to meet its natural resource needs. If they lived like Americans, humanity would need 4.8 Earths. However, at humanity's current rate of resource consumption, it needs 1.6 Earths for sustainable living.