overshoot day

Earth Overshoot Day is the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that same year. It reflects the depletion of natural stocks like forests, fisheries, and soil, as well as the accumulation of waste, especially carbon dioxide. Essentially, it marks the point when humanity begins living beyond the planet's ecological capacity for that year. Each year, this date shifts depending on consumption patterns, with earlier dates indicating higher overshoot and greater environmental impact.