Global warming and all problems related to the environment are a reality that should concern us all. And according to the new calculations of the international organization “Global Footprint Network”, natural resources for 2020 are depleted. Thus, as of this Saturday, humanity is already using the Earth’s natural resources destined for 2021.
This panorama should be an alert for everyone so that, individually and collectively, it makes us aware that it is important to make some changes in our daily practices.
Pollution, emission of toxic gases, bad environmental practices carried out by large and small companies, among other situations, are too harmful for our planet.
The various studies and evidence are constantly 'putting their hands on the wound' and trying to make people aware of this reality. A part of the world population has already started to change some of its harmful habits to the environment. However, there is still a significant percentage that continues with practices that are less healthy for the planet, even with all the awareness actions on this topic.
Natural resources for the year and 2020 have already been exhausted
-
As of this Saturday, humanity is already using the natural resources destined for the next year of 2021. This is because the resources of our planet for 2020 are already exhausted. This conclusion comes from the calculations made by the international organization “Global Footprint Network“. In short, on August 22, 2020, we mark Earth Overload Day.
This means that from now until the end of the year, we are using resources that the planet is unable to replenish naturally, such as:
- of forests due to deforestation
- fishing, due to overfishing
- of food due to food waste and harmful agriculture
- due to carbon emissions.
But despite everything there is good news. According to a statement from the Portuguese association Sustainable Land System ZERO, this year the planet starts to “use the environmental credit card” three weeks later compared to last year. However, this factor is only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the population to be confined, and not to planning or structural changes.
In fact, the consequences of COVID-19 have led to an almost 10% reduction in the global Ecological footprint. But still, natural resources equivalent to 1.6 Earth planets continue to be used.
Thus, it is important that each of us rethink their habits and make some changes to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviors. In addition, it is essential that the great powers and governments of the world define more effective and efficient measures to reverse this scenario that affects us all.
How can we contribute to a healthier planet?
ZERO leaves some suggestions for people to start somewhere with the necessary change. So, we must rethink “the way we produce the food and diet we follow, the amount of goods we consume, the way we move, the energy sources we use, how many children we have, what area we safeguard for wildlife", among others.
With these small major changes there are several objectives that can be achieved, such as:
- The 50% reduction of the carbon footprint that will allow the activation of the environmental credit card 93 days later (end of November)
- If we reduce our footprint linked to mobility by 50% and if we assume that one third of the km are replaced by public transport and the rest by bicycle and walking, we will activate the environmental credit card 13 days later (for the beginning of September)
- If we reduce meat consumption by 50% and substitute these calories for vegetarian food, the credit card would be activated 17 days later (for the beginning of September), with 10 of those days resulting from avoided methane emissions
- Reducing food waste in half will make it possible to delay the Planet Overload Day by 13 days (for the beginning of September)
As a content dissemination entity, Pplware also leaves the appeal for all of us to become aware of the problem and to contribute to its solution.
-
