July 29, 2021 is
Earth Overshoot Day . What does that mean?
The date marks when humanity has consumed all the natural resources that the planet is capable of renewing over the course of a year , that is, starting today. It is as if the planet went into overdraft, consuming more than it can regenerate. It is worth remembering that in 2020, the same date fell on August 22 - partly due to the impact of isolation and the crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic. “The early date of Earth Overshoot Day 2021 illustrates the importance of collective action and the urgency of reviewing our production and consumption models. The global economic recovery from the coronavirus needs to take into account socio-environmental aspects and offer responses to the Climate Crisis.” , says Helio Mattar, CEO of
Akatu , an NGO dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing for conscious consumption. According to the
Global Footprint Network , an entity responsible for calculating Earth's landfill since 1970, we need 1.7 planets to maintain our current production and consumption patterns. In 2021, even in a pandemic scenario, several countries resumed their economic activities with a production rate equal to or even higher than before the coronavirus. The carbon footprint increased by 6.6% compared to 2020, due to greater burning of fossil fuels, and the world lost 0.5% of its global biocapacity (amount of resources that the Earth can regenerate in one year). Brazil alone lost 1.1 million hectares in 2020 and estimates indicate an increase of up to 43% in deforestation this year. In view of this, it is always necessary to try to postpone the date to the next few years.
The Akatu Institute lists four ways to do this: If the entire world population reduces its average annual meat consumption by half, preferring to eat vegetables and legumes, Earth Overshoot Day will be postponed by 17 days. Avoid food waste
Food losses (in production) and waste (in processing and consumption) are responsible for about 9% of the global ecological footprint. To save these emissions, prepare only what you are going to eat, make full use of food ( including peels and seeds) and, if necessary, freeze what’s left to eat later.
If we halve global food loss and waste, Earth Overshoot Day will be delayed by 11 days. (Manfred Antranias Zimmer/CASACOR)
Use emission-free transport
The reduction in individual car use worldwide contributed to the delay of Earth Overshoot Day 2020, as fossil fuel-powered transportation has a major ecological impact. If the distance is short, use a bike and travel on foot. For longer journeys, opt for public transport, such as the subway and buses.
If we halve the carbon footprint of commuting, assuming that 1/3 of the distances traveled by car are replaceable by public transport, cycling and walking, Earth Overshoot Day will be delayed by 13 days. Simplify your wardrobe
The pandemic has brought to many people the realization that it is possible to live with fewer clothes in the closet, focusing only on what is necessary. Buying and owning fewer clothes, adopting a more minimalist style, also contributes to preserving the environment, since Clothing accounts for 3% of the global ecological footprint, and the production of each and every new item emits greenhouse gases and consumes natural resources. To give you an idea, the production of a single pair of jeans consumes almost 11 thousand liters of water, enough to meet the daily demand (drinking, cooking, washing dishes, etc.) of a person for more than 3 months. The
Akatu Institute lists on its website several initiatives to postpone the date and also how small changes in behavior can contribute to a better social and environmental impact.
Check out other tips and more about the Institute here .
