Earth Overshoot Day highlights Swiss over-consumption
Food uses up half of Earth's biocapacity, according to Global Footprint Network.
Keystone / Georgios Kefalas
The planet’s population has used up a year’s supply of sustainable natural resources, with Switzerland reaching this dubious milestone several weeks ago.
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Earth Overshoot Day was announced on August 2 by the ecological movement Global Footprint Network. This means that from now on until the end of the year the planet is being drained of resources at a faster rate than it can regenerate.
When measuring the consumption of resources in each country, Switzerland is more voracious than average.
Swiss Overshoot Day was reached on May 13, sparking protests by environmental activists.
Earth Overshoot Day is a “consequence of humanity demanding 70% more than Earth’s ecosystems are able to regenerate,” said Global Footprint Network on Wednesday.
“Food makes up a large part of our Ecological Footprint – feeding humanity currently takes just about 50% of Earth’s biocapacity.”
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