This Saturday is Earth Overshoot Day — the day each year that human consumption outpaces what the earth can produce in a year.
Every year, the Global Footprint Network calculates “how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses what.”
In other words, how much are humans consuming and how does that compare with what Planet Earth is producing? The bad news is that humans are burning through natural resources faster than they’re being produced. The even worse news is that this year’s date is more than a month earlier than last year’s and two months earlier than three years ago:
- In 2007, Earth Overshoot Day was in October.
- In 2008, it was September 23.
- In 2009, it was September 25.
- In 2010, it will be August 21.
Clearly, we humans still have a long way to go to correct our over-consumption and bring our lifestyles back into balance with what Earth can provide
The good news, however, is that this process can be reversed.
What can you do to help Planet Earth? Take a look at the tab up top that says “Easy Eco Actions.” Are you doing everything on that list? Could you be doing more?
There is another way you can start to make a difference. This weekend is Weekend Without Oil — two days in which you try to minimize how much petroleum you consume. This goes beyond the gas in your car and the plastic you use; remember, petroleum is a hidden ingredient in a lot of common products, including makeup.
Some ideas include:
- Parking your car and walking or biking places.
- Carrying a reusable water bottle instead of buying water and other drinks packaged in plastic one-use containers.
- Buying local foods and products, so that the amount of oil used to transport them is vastly reduced.
These are just a few ideas and the Eco Women encourage you to check out the Weekend Without Oil website for more ideas.
You’re probably thinking, “There’s no way that I can do all of that.” It’s true that going full-on Eco Warrior would be difficult, so think of the ways that you can reduce your oil consumption this weekend — don’t buy bottled water, drive less, download a movie instead of buying the plastic DVD in a plastic case, etc.
The important thing is to do something, anything.
Because this planet is totally worth it.
Tell the Eco Women: What do you think you can do this weekend to make a difference?
