27 May 2024 marks the day on which Switzerland used up its ecological resources for the whole of 2024. If every country lived like Switzerland, we would need 2.75 Earths. We're taking this as an opportunity to look more closely at Earth Overshoot Day and answer some frequently asked questions on the topic.
What is Earth Overshoot Day?
Earth Overshoot Day is an indicator of how many natural resources humanity uses each year and how quickly we use them. More precisely, Overshoot Day marks the date on which humanity has used more natural resources than the Earth can regenerate within a year. From that day on, we are living beyond our means and consuming more than is actually available to us. Earth Overshoot Day is also called Overshooting Day or Ecological Debt Day. The overshoot of individual countries is shown as Country Overshoot Days.
How is Earth Overshoot Day calculated?
Earth Overshoot Day is calculated every year by the Global Footprint Network. It is based on a comparison between humanity's ecological footprint and the Earth's biocapacity.
The ecological footprint is the area of the Earth that would theoretically be needed to renew all the resources consumed and absorb all the waste generated in one year. The Earth's biocapacity, on the other hand, is the area actually available that can renew consumed resources and absorb the waste generated within a year.
Taking Switzerland as an example, an ecological footprint of 4.35 global hectares per person compares with a global biocapacity of 1.6 hectares per person. In other words, we would need 2.75 Earths to sustain humanity if everyone lived like the Swiss. Converted to the calendar year, the resources available to the Swiss for 2024 were already used up on 27 May.
The global Earth Overshoot Day 2024 is still to come and is expected to fall in August this year.
How does Switzerland compare internationally?
When it was first measured in 1971, Earth Overshoot Day fell on 20 December. Since then, Overshoot Day has been moving steadily forward in the calendar year. In 2023, it fell on 3 August 2023. More than 1.5 Earths would be needed to renew the resources we consume.
In international comparison, industrialised countries generally have a much larger ecological footprint than countries in the Global South. Accordingly, their Country Overshoot Day comes earlier. If every country lived like Switzerland, 2.75 Earths would be needed.
What can we do?
How does DillySocks act on its responsibility as a textile company with regard to Earth Overshoot Day?
- Quality over quantity: our socks are not only stylish but also durable. The longer they can be worn, the smaller their footprint. What makes our socks such high quality? First and foremost, the use of high-quality materials.
- Organic, organic, organic cotton: we use only high-quality organic cotton for our socks. Our cotton is grown 100% without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers or environmentally harmful chemicals. Organic cotton also uses less water than conventionally grown cotton.
- DillySocks makes a financial climate contribution: what exactly does that mean? Since 2020, we have recorded our CO2 emissions and offset them through climate protection projects. But 'climate-neutral' action is not the same as emission-neutral! That's why our goal is to continuously reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
- Plastic-free packaging: there's already enough plastic in the world. That's why we rely on biodegradable components for our packaging. Whenever possible, our socks are shipped directly in their box without any additional outer packaging. Where more protection is needed, we have replaced conventional plastic sleeves with bags made from polylactic acid. Polylactic acid is a renewable, easily compostable raw material that generates up to 60% less CO₂ in the manufacturing process than standard polybags.
- Psst, here's where you'll find our complete overview of sustainability.
What can you do to move Earth Overshoot Day?
- Consumption Shop sustainably and mindfully. When buying clothes, pay attention to manufacturing processes, materials, origin and product quality
- Diet Eat fewer or no animal products. Choose regional products wherever possible
- Housing Energy needs: use the most sustainable energy sources possible – e.g. green electricity from renewable sources
- Sustainable mobility Fly as little as possible. Drive less
- Waste disposal Reduce packaging waste. Separate your waste
- Awareness: You'll find more information on Earth Overshoot Day here Global Footprint Network and here #movethedateswitzerland
