Archived press release

Earth Overshoot Day - a wake up call for consumption habits

20 August 2010

Tomorrow (21 August 2010) is Earth Overshoot Day - the day we reach our ecological budget for the year.

From here on, we are collectively overdrawn in our use of natural resources. More carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere than vegetation can remove, and nature is no longer able to meet our demand to produce raw materials for food - with grave consequences for the climate and the world's biodiversity.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Earth Overshoot Day is a wake-up call for all of us - for the sake of people everywhere now and in the future, we must put the breaks on our damaging consumption habits and start protecting the world around us.

"Our drive for fossil fuels, biofuels and cheap meat and dairy are heating the planet so fast that we've put human civilisation in grave danger within our lifetimes - and we're in the midst of the biggest mass extinction since the loss of the dinosaurs.

"We can fix the problems we face - but only by strong, collective action. Rich countries must take the lead on cutting our climate changing emissions, and enabling poorer countries to do the same.

"The Coalition must live up to its promise of being the greenest Government ever, by delivering a low-carbon economy - which will tackle the deficit and create new jobs based on green industries - and by supporting planet friendly farming."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The idea for this day originally comes from the New Economics Foundation (NEF), and is also calculated annually by the Global Footprint Network. For more information see http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/earth_overshoot_day/

2. In its election campaign Friends of the Earth called on the new Government to adopt a range of green measures, including:

·         Sufficient investment in switching to a low carbon economy to achieve a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emission of 42 per cent by 2020 without offsetting, create jobs and boost the recovery, and eliminate fuel poverty. http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/green_economy.html

·         A Local Carbon Budget for every council to cap local carbon dioxide emissions, and enough money and technical support to enable councils to do their bit to tackle climate change. www.getseriousaboutCO2.com

·         A new law which will tackle the major greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by the UK's dependence on imported feeds for livestock - and which will support better UK farming and domestic feed production.www.jointhemoovement.com

·         An international agreement on cutting emissions where those responsible make the deepest cuts first, and developing countries are supported to grow in a low carbon way. http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/demand_climate_change_23227.html

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust