August 2nd was Earth Overshoot Day

Credit: Global Population Speak Out

DO YOU know that August 2nd marked Earth Overshoot Day?

That was the day, according to reports, on which humanity used more natural resources than the planet can renew in a whole year. 

This date, it has also been revealed, continues to move forward every year, making the 2nd of August the earliest Earth Overshoot Day yet. 


Earth Overshoot Day, is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international think-tank that coordinates research, develops methodologies and provides decision-makers with tools and information to help the human economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits, as the public face and campaigning focus of GFN highly technical work. 


The GFN show that human beings are demanding 1.7 times more renewable resources -such as fresh water, wood from natural forests and healthy soil -from the natural world than it can provide. Each year, a symbolic date is passed on which all resources are ‘used up’ and human beings ‘overshoot’ what Earth can provide.

POPULATION growth has been recognised as one of current greatest threats to humanity. This was the outcome of a survey conducted by 50 Nobel Laureates.

The Nobel Laureates jointly responded to the question: “What is the biggest threat to humankind, in your view? And is there anything science can do to mitigate it?” during a  

survey jointly conducted by Times Higher Education and Lindau Nobel Laureate.

They were drawn from the field of Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Medicine and Economics. 

IMAGE CREDIT: Times Higher Education, 2017

 Describing population growth as one of the threats facing humanity, they noted that combined with environmental degradation, population growth still makes the highest-ranking threat in comparison to others.

Speaking, one of the Laureates noted that climate change in addition to providing sufficient food and fresh water for the growing global population, are serious problems facing humankind. He added: “Science is needed to address these problems and also to educate the public to create the political will to solve these problems.”

Other Laureates also cited environmental issues concerns over feeding and supplying water, as well as opposition to genetically-modified products given their potential to boost agricultural output.

Other threats mentioned as ranking lower compared to population growth included nuclear war, infectious disease breakouts, ignorant leaders including artificial intelligence.

Given these realities, some of the quick actions needed to be taken according to Editor, Times Higher Education, John Gill, involves a consensus that heading off these dangers requires political will and action, as well as the prioritisation of education on a global scale. Important of which, above all is for leaders to avoid the risk of inaction through complacency.”