Eliminating Ecological Overshoot

Abstract

Ecological overshoot is the result of using Earth's resources faster than they can be regenerated (Wackernagel et al., 2002). In 2007, humankind is using about 30% more resources in one year than nature can regenerate in that same year (Global Footprint Network, 2007). Ecological overshoot began in 1987, and humankind goes into ecological overshoot for a particular year on what has since been called "ecological debt day" - the day on which the total ecological footprint (measured in global hectares) is equal to the biocapacity (also measured in global hectares) that nature can regenerate in that year. For the remainder of the year, the ecological debt continues to rise from the depletion of the natural capital and allowing wastes to accumulate (Global Footprint Network, 2007). In 2007, humans demanded the biosphere's entire capacity for the year in just 279 days (on October 6). This shocking situation is made worse because very few people are even aware of it.