Today is 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆—the date in the year when humanity collectively begins living beyond our ecological means. As such, from today we move into the ecological equivalent of overdraft spending!
From now until January 1st 2024, our global civilisation will be using more natural resources—everything from fish stocks, fibres and medicines provided by plants; as well as the ability of forests to absorb and impound carbon—than the planet is capable of supplying this (or indeed in any) year.
This is not merely ecological "deficit spending", as some (including the Financial Times) have characterised it; but more like an entirely unauthorised overdraft or perhaps even a dangerous payday loan. This is because by consistently overspending our biological budget, humanity is reducing the biodiversity on which our very survival depends!
The overshoot date, calculated by the Global Footprint Network, a think-tank, using data collected by the United Nations, has been coming earlier almost every year since 1971.
More info on Earth Overshoot Day can be found here; https://www.overshootday.org