Geneva (dpa) - Humans have used up the Earth's ecological resources that are actually available for the entire year this Wednesday. According to calculations by the American environmental organization Global Footprint Network, August 2 is Earth Overshoot Day this year. If everyone lived as lavishly as people in Germany, the day would already have been on May 4.

At first glance, it looks like progress, because last year's Earth Overshoot Day was July 28. It looks as if people used fewer resources in 2023 than in 2022, but appearances are deceptive, says Amanda Diep, spokesperson for Global Footprint Network. In fact, all data is updated every year, even in the past, using the latest data collections and methods in order to be able to draw comparisons. According to this, the Earth Overshoot Day in 2022 was not on July 28, but rather on August 1.

"The trend is flat," said Diep, and has been for around ten years. In 2023, only one day was gained. "It's difficult to say how much of this is due to a decline in economic activity (due to coronavirus) or decarbonization efforts." Decarbonization means switching from fossil fuels to carbon-free and renewable energy sources.

On the one hand, the organization calculates what nature can produce and absorb per year without losses. This includes raw materials, drinking water and food as well as man-made waste and_{CO2 emissions}. It compares this with what people consume with their way of life and economy. In this way, it determines the day on which all the resources of the year are used up. A large part of this is due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Halving food waste equals 13 days gained

In order to live in balance with nature and reduce greenhouse gases as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Earth Overshoot Day would have to be moved back by 19 days every year for the next seven years, said Diep. According to Diep, if food waste could be halved worldwide, 13 days would already be gained.

"For more than 50 years, the earth's natural resources have been overexploited every year without interruption," said Christoph Bals, Political Director of the environment and development organization Germanwatch. Depending on the route, rail travel can be up to 28 times more climate-friendly than flying, said Jacob Rohm, climate-friendly mobility officer at Germanwatch. "Removing the unfair tax exemptions for air traffic would already save four billion euros a year for the federal budget. This could be used to massively expand the rail network and services in Europe."

Only 6% of countries operate in an ecologically sustainable manner

A study by Ohio State University shows that only six percent of 178 countries operate in an ecologically sustainable manner by providing their citizens with an adequate supply of food, energy and water without exceeding natural capacities. The researchers looked at water consumption and_{CO2 absorption}, for example in forests. The study revealed that many countries emit far more carbon than their ecosystems can cope with. Nevertheless, the researchers see potential to combat environmental risks through renewable energies, plant-based nutrition and a sustainable circular economy.