We use more ecological resources and services than nature can regenerate through overfishing, overharvesting forests, and emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than forests can sequester

Open source

The Earth could bill its inhabitants on August 2. It is on this day that mankind has exhausted all the resources that the planet can restore in a year.

Earth Overshoot Day, previously known as Ecological Debt Day is the date calculated by scientists, when the human demand for natural resources exceeds the Earth's ability to recover them within one year. Every year it changes.

According to Global Footprint Network (GFN), currently, carbon emissions make up 60% of humanity’s Ecological Footprint. Consider this: If we cut carbon emissions in half, the date of Earth Overshoot Day would be pushed back by 89 days, or about three months. This is possible and would reduce humanity’s demand to the ecological resources of 1,2 Earths instead of 1,7 as is the case now.

In November 2016, 190 countries’ commitment to maintaining global warming below the 2 degree Celsius threshold was ratified. Imperfect as it may be, the Paris Climate Accord generated global goodwill and hope that humanity was ready at last to tackle its biggest challenge yet. On June 1st the Trump Administration reneged on America’s promise. In contrast, we, together with many governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals, are doubling our commitment. Because it is necessary, possible and desirable to move the date.

Everyone will be able to find out about their personal debt before Earth by visiting a free online test that will appear online on August 2 on Earth Overshoot Day.



"In 2016, the Ecological Debt Day was on August 8 that means that every year we increasingly fast use up resources of the planet. If we look at the lifestyle of ordinary citizen, then this situation is not surprising. We consume more and more, not even thinking why we have so many things. Consume without thinking about the next generation. We use it, because it's nice to us without thinking about whether it's pleasing to our Planet, "says Olena Tarasova-Krasiyeva, WWF coordinator in Ukraine.

In 2017, residents of different countries led a different way of life, respectively, if each of us lived as an Australian, then we would need 5,2 planets, if as American - 5 planets, South Korea resident – 3,4, Russian – 3,4, German – 3,2. In 2013, Ukraine’s footprint was 1,9.

Ecological Debt Day reminds people, countries and organizations of the need for urgent joint actions to stay within the planetary boundaries and achieve sustainable development and stability for all. We must learn to use resources wisely, preserving the resources of our planet for future generations.

As it was reported earlier the issue of utilizing garbage is becoming an ecological threat in Ukraine. Every year, more than 27 thousand garbage dumps are unofficially created in Ukraine.