Today is Earth Overshoot Day

The planet has increasing difficulties keeping up with the speed with which humanity is consuming natural resources. As of today, we have used up all resources the earth can produce in 2008, i.e. we are now borrowing from 2009.

Thus is the message from the Global Footprint Network. To quote their definition of Earth Overshoot Day:

Earth Overshoot Day marks the day when humanity begins using more ecological resources and services in a given year than Earth can regenerate in that year. This is the day we (on average) go into global overshoot for a given year. This overuse adds to our global ecological debt.

Current calculations show that humanity's first Earth Overshoot Day occurred on December 31, 1986. This day has gradually advanced until now. So, today, the 23rd of September 2008 is Earth Overshoot Day. Panic and doomsday thinking isn't helping anyone, but it is definitely something we should take seriously. We know, for example, that the number of trees on the planet is still declining fast, and the same is known for fish stocks. In 2003, the biologically productive area per person on this planet was a little less than 1.8 hectares or 4.4 acres, if wild species were given no space at all, whereas the ecological footprint per person was 2.2 hectares or 5.5 acres. Another way to calculate this is in earth-equivalents. If everybody on this planet would live the lifestyle of the average American, we would need 5.4 earths to sustain us. On the other end of the spectrum is India. If everyone would live like the average Indian, we would be quite OK with 0.4 earths. Needless to say that the American lifestyle is somewhat more attractive than the Indian lifestyle. Just one example. According to the CIA world fact book: A male American has a life expectancy at birth of 75.29 years, a female 81.13 years A male Indian has a life expectancy at birth of 66.87 years, a female 71.9 years And that is in spite of the claims by many that the big pharmaceutical companies are killing off Americans with the help of their government and that the Indians have the benefit of ancient wisdom like Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. Whoever has seen images of mainland India, doesn't need much convincing to believe that life can be more pleasant elsewhere. On top of that, India is becoming more modern at a fast pace, once again indicating that its current lifestyle does not seem to agree with most Indians. Therefore, referring to India as an example to follow, may not be realistic. ----- In this context, it is hard not to refer to Charles Darwin and his vision on the doctrine of Malthus (on page 63 of On The Origin of Species):

It is the doctrine of Malthus applied with manifold force to the whole animal and vegetable kingdoms; for in this case there can be no artificial increase of food, and no prudential restraint from marriage. Although some species may be now increasing, more or less rapidly, in numbers, all cannot do so, for the world would not hold them.

Humanity has always evolved by looking forward. Returning to the past, as so many doomsday prophets are advocating, is not an option. We strive towards a better life, not a worse one. We will not preserve paradise by destroying it. What we must do, in my opinion, is find new and better ways to do what we are already doing, to improve the lives of all people on this planet.