30
Sep, 2021
Overshoot

Earth Overshoot Day: Humanity Has Already Exhausted the Planet’s Resources.

As of July 29, 2021, humanity is living on credit. The day of overshoot marks the symbolic date when human beings are supposed to have consumed all the renewable resources that the planet is capable of providing them in one year. From this day on, we are drawing irrevocably from the Earth’s natural reserves.

We are using 70 % more than the Earth can renew, but how long will we live above the set amount of resources? Just think about it as your savings; if you are living beyond your means and tapping into your savings each month…how long will it take before you run out of money?

We have been overshooting the planet’s resources since 1970. 1970 was the last year that the overshoot occurred in December. Since then, we have been running out during the first three quarters of the year.

How Much Earth Will We Need?

Earth, Planet, Space, World, Celestial Object
Will We Need More Earth?

It is also on the basis of a similar calculation that we can estimate the number of planet Earths that humanity would need to have to sustain its consumption of renewable resources in one year. Estimated at 1.7 in 2017, it could probably exceed two before the middle of the twenty-first century.

The exceedance day can also be calculated on a country scale. In France, the overshoot occurred this year on May 5. If a country’s overshoot day occurs earlier than the global exceedance day, it means that this country has a higher domestic consumption than the global average.

If all the world’s population consumed renewable resources like France, humanity would increase its ecological deficit. It would take 2.9 Earths to sustain humanity if everyone lived like the French.

According to the World Wildlife Fund’s yearly “Living Planet Report,” which assesses our ecological impact, we will require a second planet by 2030 and the equivalent of 2.8 planets by 2050 to fulfill our material requirements if things carry on in the same vein.

Why Are We Overshooting Earth?

Over-fishing.

Overfishing is commonly described as the tragedy of the commons, which occurs when a shared, restricted resource is depleted as a result of people acting in self-interest for short-term benefit. Fish do not belong to anybody or any country since they are not restricted to a certain location, such as inside national borders. Even if one country restricts its capture, others are likely to compensate.

Growing population.

The U.S. population multiplied from 130 million to more than 260 million during the past 60 years and is calculated to double again to 520 million throughout the next 60 years based on the current rate of increase of 1.1 percent per year.

Overpopulation has been seen through the significant rise in human activity—damming of rivers, rising water usage, expansion of agriculture, increasing use of irrigation and fertilizers, loss of forests, and more motor vehicles since World War 2. There has also been a dramatic increase in the usage of coal, oil, and gas, as well as a quick increase in the amount of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which are greenhouse gases produced by changes in land use and combustion of such fuels.

How Can You Reduce The Use Of Natural Resources?

Windmill, Trees, Sustainability, Wind Turbine, Nature
Try To Use Natural Renewable Energy Sources.

Save Water

We are new to this, and we are still repeating ourselves. We need water to survive, and the human body cannot go three days without water, which means that wasting water will be detrimental to humanity.

Some tips will be to take showers instead of a bath, of course, run shorter showers and turn off the faucet if you are not using water. Small actions will eventually add up for greater differences.

Energy Consumption

Try to look for environmentally friendly ways to consume energy; for example, opt for solar panels and wind energy.

The installation of renewable energy may cost a little more than gas but keep in mind that it is only the installation and you won’t have to pay as much each month if anything.

Recycle

Try to recycle items like plastic bottles or even cardboard. It will help in reusing the materials that you already have. You can also opt for reuse; for example, do not throw away the ice cream tubs and use them to conserve food.

Each one of us can make a difference. We need to realize the importance of preserving our natural resources. Let us know in the comments what you think of earth overshoot…

27
Sep, 2021
Save Water

The Perfect Guide For Water Saving At Home.

The average household uses roughly 94 liters of water per day, per person, and very little of it is actually for our drinking consumption. We mostly use this vital resource to wash ourselves, our clothes and our belongings, and also to flush our toilets. This article looks at ways where we can cut down on our water wastage:

Bottle, Mineral Water, Glass, Pour, Pouring
Save Water.

1. Take a shower instead of a bath

A bath uses over 100 liters of water, that will eventually be evacuated. While long, luxurious bubble baths can be fun, and in some cases, even essential for our peace of mind, try to minimize them. Instead, opt for a short shower. In addition to saving water, you use less energy because you need to heat less water.

 

2. Use an economical shower head

An energy-saving showerhead consumes 6 liters per minute, or even less if you’re efficient under the shower (it rinses well even if it consumes less).

 

3. Flush less water down the toilet

The toilet uses the most water in the house. To save water, you can replace the flush with a two-button flush. A small one for small pees (3 liters) and a large one for big pees (6 liters). This requires buying a new flush.

4. Fix Any Leaks

To determine if there are leaks in the house, read the water meter at night before going to bed (do not run the washing machine or dishwasher that night, nor get up to pee) and compare the value with that of the following day. Usually, the numbers should be the same. If they are not, there is a leak. The only thing to do is to identify where the leak is.

 

5. Don’t let the water run unnecessarily

If you wash your dishes by hand, leaving the water running can consume up to 200 liters per dish. It is more economical to fill both bowls in the sink.

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. You can also use a cup, and this will save you about 10 liters.

Turn off the water in the shower when soaping up. Every minute without water saves several liters.

Tap, Water Faucet, Open, Jet, Water, Garden
Always close the tap.

 

6. Choose water-saving appliances

If you are a homeowner, fitting your shower with a thermostatic mixer is a good idea. The hot water comes out faster and you save a few liters of water per shower.

When you buy big appliances (washing machines, dishwashers…), pay attention to their water consumption. The best dishwashers use less than 10 liters of water per cycle (the consumption is written on the energy label, even if it is water). And of course, you should only run them when they are full.

7. Water sparingly

You can also save water in the garden:

Replace the garden hose with a watering can;

Waterless often but for more extended periods to allow the soil to become deeply moistened. Rotating watering with alternating jets allows for “soft” watering too.

Make sure that the soil is loose enough and worked. This allows for more efficient watering since water runs off on a compacted soil;

in the vegetable garden or in the flower beds, cover the soil between the plants with straw, grass clippings, leaves, etc., to help retain water;

water in the evening to avoid waste due to evaporation (it is warmer during the day) and evapotranspiration (steam released by plants).

8. Use rainwater

Drinking water is only necessary for 5% of our water consumption, and for the rest, we can use rainwater. Depending on the use (toilet, washing machine, shower, or even kitchen), the level of filtration will be different. You should find out beforehand so as not to make any mistakes. This advice is only for homeowners…

Water is essential, so use it wisely. Let us know in the comments what you do at home to avoid water wastage…