We live on a finite planet with limited resources that can only produce a certain amount of what we need. Current economic models, which focus primarily on GDP growth—often at any cost—fail to account for the planet’s capacity to regenerate and the limits to sustainable resource use.

The Global Footprint Network tracks the Earth’s biocapacity, or the ability to provide for humanity’s ecological demands. Their research calculates when humanity’s consumption exceeds the planet’s regenerative capacity. In 2023, this “Earth Overshoot Day” fell on August 2nd, meaning we had used up the Earth’s resources for the year in just over seven months. Experts estimate that at our current rate of consumption, we would need 1.7 Earths to meet humanity’s demands (Earth.org).

However, this issue is not insurmountable. It is possible to address overshoot by honestly evaluating our sustainability practices across all aspects of modern life. We can make meaningful adjustments in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities by setting short, medium, and long-term sustainability goals, and tracking our progress. On a larger scale, we can advocate for a “steady-state” economic model—one that prioritizes sustainability over perpetual growth. By pressuring leaders to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and scaling up these changes, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

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