02 August 2023
Today is Earth Overshoot Day for 2023, meaning humans have already used all the resources that the world can regenerate in a year. The global population is currently using up the Earth's ecological resources 1.7 times faster than the world can generate.
This year, Earth Overshoot Day is 2 August, but the date changes each year. In 2022, it fell on 28 July.
The Government of Jersey's Sustainability and Climate Change team is running a four-week campaign to remind Islanders about the steps they can take to help reduce the emissions associated with climate change and ensure Jersey remains on a path to reach net zero by 2050.
The Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Deputy Hilary Jeune, said: "Today is a stark reminder that we're not doing enough globally, and we continue to exploit the Earth well beyond its natural resources.
"We can make a difference in Jersey, through what we consume, how we invest our finances and by thinking carefully about our carbon footprint. We are, generally, going in the right direction but there's still lots to be done.
"This year, we've been introducing various incentive schemes to help Islanders make the switch to low-carbon alternatives, whether that be in the way they travel, or how they heat the homes and businesses. I'd like to encourage Islanders to review what actions they could take to adopt a low carbon lifestyle or business model, as it's essential in ensuring we reduce our impact on the planet and push Earth Overshoot Day further back next year and in the years to follow.
"Throughout August, we'll be running a digital campaign referring to the Carbon Neutral Roadmap and how we can move the date further into the year. Steps such as cutting down car journeys, reducing how much we buy and waste, and switching to low-carbon sources are some of the many actions we can all take to contribute to moving the date."
To find out more about Earth Overshoot Day, visit: Earth Overshoot Day home - #MoveTheDate
gov.je