Sweden’s Overshoot Day just came and went. What does that mean?
Global Footprint Network tracks the world's resources. Every year they calculate the date in which we’ll use up all the resources that the planet is capable of naturally renewing over the entire year. That day is referred to as Earth Overshoot day.

The way we live is unsustainable
That day is July 29. That means 210 days into the year, we’ll be living on credit or digging into our savings to live and survive on this planet. Sounds hopeless, right? Well, it kind of is 🥺. Whywaste’s home is in Sweden (mostly) and our Overshoot Day has already happened. Since this Sunday (April 3), going forward Sweden are living on credit. It’s easy to think that Scandinavia are frontrunners when it comes to sustainability, we are sure happy to brand ourselves that way. It is not entirely untrue but the sad reality is that the way we consume and live is unsustainable.
How is it calculated?
Earth Overshoot Day was created by the Global Footprint Network to help us reduce our pressure on the planet. It’s determined by measuring biocapacity. That means the biological capacity of the planet to regenerate natural resources and absorb waste materials. They calculate this by taking a biocapacity number and dividing it by humankind’s ecological footprint. Then it’s multiplied by 365 to determine Earth’s Overshoot Day.
To end on a brighter note and to give you some hope back, here is a link to Global Footprint Network where you can explore new initiatives and food waste related solutions. Go get your hopes up!
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