Every year, people around the world mark Earth Overshoot Day, a reminder that our planet’s resources aren’t infinite. Think of it not as a celebration, but as a wake-up call: humanity is using more than the Earth can regenerate. The Global Footprint Network, which studies how we consume and restore the planet’s resources, first introduced this observance in 1987.
The date changes every year, depending on how fast we deplete the Earth’s annual "resource budget" – clean water, fresh air, forests, fertile soil. The earlier the date, the more we owe to our planet and future generations. In 2025, Earth Overshoot Day fell on July 24. From July 25 through December 31, we are essentially living on borrowed resources, consuming more than our planet can naturally provide.
Picture Earth as a giant bank granting us a yearly resource allowance. If we spend it too quickly, the second half of the year is like taking a loan from future generations. Right now, humanity is consuming resources as if we had 1.75 planets.
Ukraine isn’t an exception. Due to the war and environmental destruction, our national Ecological Debt Day comes even earlier. If everyone lived like we do, the world would exhaust its resources by mid-spring. Overuse and destruction of nature lead to soil depletion, loss of biodiversity, polluted water, and climate change.
So, what can we do?
Earth Overshoot Day isn’t a sentence – it’s an invitation to act. Each of us can make small but meaningful changes to push this date further in the future:
- Be mindful of consumption: reduce waste, sort your trash, and choose local, seasonal products;
- Save resources: use water and electricity wisely;
- Respect nature: enjoy parks, forests, and protected areas responsibly.
Make today more than just a date on the calendar. Let it be the start of a conscious, eco-friendly lifestyle. Share the message with friends, and together we can help shape a more sustainable future.