The Environmental Debt Day
In 2019, humanity will exhaust its annual supply of natural resources faster than ever
July 29 is the Environmental Debt Day. This means that the planet’s renewable resources are depleted within a year, and that mankind will now “borrow” from nature. It is stated on the website of the Global Footprint Network, an international think tank.
This year, the World Environmental Debt Day is ahead of schedule. For comparison: last year, the human race depleted its annual reserve supply on August 1, in 2013 – on August 20 and in 2000 – in early October.
July 29 is the earliest date in computing history. This means that mankind is currently using nature 1.75 times faster than planet’s ecosystems renew themselves. This shows itself in the form of deforestation, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. All of this causes climate change and extreme weather conditions.
Experts say situation could be changed by releasing less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to their calculations, reduction of 5o% of carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion will allow postponing the Environmental Debt Day by 93 days.
Researchers calculate the history of “environmental debt” since the early 1970s: it was late December and lasted until mid-October of 1990.
