‘Earth Overshoot Day’ to mark overuse of resources

PARIS (AFP) – Green groups will stage “Earth Overshoot Day” on Tuesday to draw attention to estimates that people are gobbling up 40 percent more in resources than the planet can currently replenish.

Over-population and gluttonous lifestyles are driving destruction of forests, fisheries, biodiversity and soil quality, while climate change is inflicting droughts and flooding that stress water supplies and agriculture, according to campaign organisers Global Footprint Network (GFN).

“Earth Overshoot Day” is determined by the last date in the year at which the planet’s 6.7 billion people are living in balance with the planet’s biocapacity.

That means in 2008 the period from September 24 to December 31 represents the time in which more resources are being consumed than the Earth can regenerate this year.

AFP

Global Footprint Network