- This year’s Earth Overshoot Day falls on 28th July, once again earlier than the previous year.
- Earth Overshoot Day has a clear message: time is running out, and we must change our approach now.
- The way we produce, distribute and consume food forms a significant part of our ecological footprint.
- WWF Central and Eastern Europe network launches a campaign to raise awareness for sustainable food and cooking.
A change in approach can help us shift The Earth Overshoot Day
28th July 2022 is the Earth Overshoot Day, when humanity’s demand for natural resources and services exceeds what Earth can regenerate within the year. The trend is inexorable – since the day of the exhaustion of the planet’s natural capacity was known, it has been coming earlier and earlier in the year. Currently, it occurs in July, which means that by the middle of the year humanity will have consumed more natural resources than the planet can renew for the rest of the year.
On the occasion of the publication of Earth Overshoot Day, the Global Footprint Network states that “the greatest potential for large-scale change lies with governments and businesses when they align their policies and strategies with the possibilities of the planet“. The platform also gives examples of how the Day when we start living in ecological debt can be moved. Above all, an ambitious reduction of CO2 emissions and the implementation of projects for protection and restoration of forests, oceans, rivers, and wetlands is necessary, and so is a change in food consumption habits.
Our current food system is unsustainable. We need to feed the world’s growing population but our current practices are already harming nature and fueling climate change, being responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, and 60% of biodiversity loss with 70% of freshwater being taken from rivers and lakes.
Good for You, Good for the Planet platform
While producers, suppliers, retailers, and policy-makers have the responsibility to build a sustainable and secure supply, every single person can become part of the change by making sure that a sustainable demand is also developing. That’s why WWF is starting the “Good for You, Good for the Planet” campaign to guide people towards a healthier life and a healthier planet as well. For this purpose the organization has developed six simple tips for a sustainable diet:
- Eat more plants
- Vary your diet
- Waste less food
- Moderate your meat consumption
- Eat certified foods
- Eat less fat, sugar, and salt
“We launch this platform with the long-term aim to raise awareness and also to inspire people to become conscious of their food choices every day. Our consumption of food and the way we cook and eat has a huge effect on the planet. By taking steps towards a more conscious and sustainable diet, we can all contribute to a better food system and reduce the negative effects of climate change”, says Péter Baráth, WWF-CEE, Marketing and partnerships director.
Learn more about the tips and visit the campaign central site here.
