7 Months Into 2017, We Have Already Spent More Natural Resources Than The Earth Can Renew In A Year

The Logical Indian Crew

August 4th, 2017 / 12:30 PM

7 Months Into 2017, We Have Already Spent More Natural Resources Than The Earth Can Renew In A Year

As of August 2, 2017, the world has used up its allowance for water, soil, clean air and other resources on Earth for the whole of 2017.

This makes August 2 the Earth Overshoot Day (EOD) for 2017, as calculated by environmental groups WWF and the Global Footprint Network.

Earth Overshoot Day marks that calendar date when humanity’s consumption of natural resources trumps Earth’s ability to renew those resources that year. After August 2, humanity will survive on “credit” until December 31.

In a grim distinction, EOD fell extremely early this year – earlier than ever before. EOD has been calculated every year since 1986.

Description of Earth Overshoot Day, the date at which humanity’s use of natural resources exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that given year. This year it falls on August 2.phys

https://twitter.com/WWF_Australia/status/892520566208462848

If Earth was a bank account, we would have a 70% overdraft each year. #EarthOvershoot #MoveTheDate https://t.co/EXp2clHKM8 pic.twitter.com/JjCGDDEbEX

— WWF EU (@WWFEU) August 2, 2017

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

An economic and ecological term, EOD is the calendar date on which humanity’s resource consumption for that year exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate/renew those resources that year.

Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by dividing the world biocapacity (the amount of natural resources generated by Earth that year) by the world ecological footprint (humanity’s consumption of Earth’s natural resources for that year) and multiplying this product by 365, the number of days in one calendar year.

EOD was calculated by environmental groups WWF and the Global Footprint Network

“By August 2, 2017, we will have used more from Nature than our planet can renew in the whole year,” the groups said in a statement. “This means that in seven months, we emitted more carbon than the oceans and forests can absorb in a year, we caught more fish, felled more trees, harvested more, and consumed more water than the Earth was able to produce in the same period.”

Earth Overshoot Day=Planetary Debt Bondage.We accrued 10 years of planetary ecological debt.twitter

Today, Earth #Overshoot Day, we've used as much from nature as our planet can renew this yr https://t.co/6QNDx8JhCG pic.twitter.com/580T4eVDsk

— Footprint Network (@EndOvershoot) August 8, 2016

“Our planet is finite, but human possibilities are not. Living within the means of one planet is technologically possible, financially beneficial, and our only chance for a prosperous future,” said Mathis Wackernagel, CEO of Global Footprint Network and co-creator of the Ecological Footprint. “We hope our new Footprint Calculator enables millions more people around the world to explore sustainability solutions and gain an uplifting sense of the possibilities available to society.”

The Logical Indian take

The Logical Indian community is extremely concerned by the narrowing gap between January 1 and Earth Overshoot Day. As it narrows, humanity increasingly lives on “credit” for the rest of the year, with more depletion of natural resources and carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere.

The costs of this global ecological overspending include deforestation, drought, fresh-water scarcity, soil erosion, biodiversity loss and the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

At current consumption rates, the equivalent of 1.7 planets would be required to produce enough to meet humanity’s needs.

We don’t have 1.7 planets: we only have one.

It’s time to – as the Global Footprint Network put it in its campaign – #movethedate. If we moved Earth Overshoot Day back 4.5 days every year, we would return to living within the means of one Earth before 2050.

To #movethedate, there needs to be dedicated commitment from individuals and governments. Governments are already doing their part with implementing the Paris Agreement and adapting renewable energy.

But for a meaningful extension of EOD, even personal EODs should be extended. A personal Earth Overshoot Day earlier than August 2 means your demand on nature is higher than the world average.

You can calculate your personal EOD and learn about how you can make your lifestyle more eco-friendly here.

Today is Earth #Overshoot Day! Help #movethedate by calculating your own personal Overshoot Day: https://t.co/MbNs403Cdw pic.twitter.com/ys5W2FFpXb

— Footprint Network (@EndOvershoot) August 2, 2017

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True Hero: Meet Sunil Mishra, An Auto-driver Who Has Been Saving Lives With His Auto!

True heroes are not known for their extraordinary powers, they are known for their extraordinary acts. Sunil Mishra is one of such heroes. For you and me, at the first look, he would appear as just another autowallah on the streets of Mumbai. However, if one were to ask people living in the slum of Ambujwadi, Sunil is no less than a ray of hope.

Mishra moved to Mumbai from his village in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh when he was just ten years old. He went on to study at a local government school, however, he failed his 12th exam. Because of this, he had to take up the profession of an autorickshaw driver.

He has been living in the Ambujwadi slum from last 11 years now. He is barely able to meet the needs and necessities of his own family of four which includes him, his wife and two young children. Most of his salary goes in providing quality education to his kids. And the rest of which is remaining, he sends it to his parents who are living in UP. In fact, it was not until a few years back that he could afford to buy his own auto rickshaw, EMI of which he is still paying.

All this has not stopped Mishra to work tirelessly for ending the sufferings of those living in his locality. As they say, you don’t need big pockets, but a big heart to help another human, Mishra has been proving just that. The Ambujwadi slum is located in such a way that entry of large vehicles like ambulances inside it is restricted. Recognising this problem, Mishra has made sure that no ailing person is denied access to hospital and medical facility, just because of this problem.

From 2007, Mishra has managed to help many people in the slums by providing ambulance-like services with his auto. He understands the pain of seeing loved ones suffer. He recalls an incident where his own mother fell off a bike which severely injured her. Fortunately, she was taken to the hospital where she gradually recovered. It was then when Mishra pledged that he would do everything in his capacity to help anybody in such a situation. He says, “People sometimes come knocking at my door at midnight, asking for my help and I could not refuse them.”

#HelpingTrueHeroes | Mr. Sunil Mishra

A true hero is one who goes beyond his/her limitations and helps those in need. Sunil Mishra is one such person. An autowallah by profession who is embroiled in his own struggle to make his ends meet leaves no chance to help anybody who is in need. A true hero who drives his auto as a vehicle of life to help others reach the hospital on time.#HelpingTrueHeroes

Posted by The Logical Indian on Monday, September 10, 2018

Not only this, he even offers free rides to differently-abled persons. “If I see any differently-abled people, I stop to ask them where they are going. If it’s within 1.5 km, I drop them for free,” he says.

Recognising his noble deed, Neurobion Forte, living up to their motto of #HelpingTrueHero has recognized Sunil Mishra as one of the heroes for his selfless service to society.

The Logical Indian truly salutes Sunil Mishra and also commends Neurobion Forte for encouraging such people. We hope that Mishra’s story inspires many others.

7 Months Into 2017, We Have Already Spent More Natural Resources Than The Earth Can Renew In A Year

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What is Earth Overshoot Day?

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