Calculated since 1986, this year’s EOD fell on 29th July. In 1993, it fell on October 21, in 2003 on September 22, and in 2017 on August 2. 

At the current consumption rate, 1.75 planets will be required to meet humankind’s demand. In other words, we are using ‘nature 1.75 times faster than our planet’s ecosystems can regenerate’.

Global Footprint Network, an international research organisation, observes humanity’s use of natural materials- like clean air, water, and soil- as well as keeps track of the environmental damage.

The organisation headquartered in Oakland, California, said in a statement-

The costs of this global ecological overspending are becoming increasingly evident in the form of deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, or the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The latter leads to climate change and more frequent extreme weather events.

According to reports, if everyone lived like the Americans, we would need 5 Earths to supply for our demands, making the U.S. the worst culprit. France and the United Kingdoms are a close second, as they would need less than three, as compared to the U.S. 

Another report reveals that climate change will more drastically affect the poorer countries before it hits the wealthier nations. 

This was observed in a United Nations report, that said if continued at the current pace, a global health emergency would be created – potentially causing millions of deaths from air pollution in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Mathis Wackernagel, co-inventor of Ecological Footprint accounting and founder of Global Footprint Network said– 

We have only got one Earth – this is the ultimately defining context for human existence.

If we could push the date of EOD back by 5 days till 2050, humans could manage to live sustainably on the planet. Reducing carbon emissions will move the date back by 93 days.