In a world where budgets extend beyond financial spreadsheets to time, calorie and even emotional budgets, we now also find ourselves wrestling with an ecological deficit that was officially passed on August 2, 2023. Known as Earth Overshoot Day, this annual milestone is akin to our planet's credit limit, and it signals a critical moment that demands our attention: to understand how we got here, and also how we must change consumption patterns to safeguard our planet's future.
Because our life hangs in the balance. Literally.
Killer borrowing costs.
Today we’re consuming 1.75x Earth’s worth of resources, every single year.
Earth Overshoot Day is the date when our collective consumption of ecological resources exceeds the planet’s capacity to regenerate them within a year. Just like swiping a credit card without enough funds to cover the bill, we're borrowing from the Earth's resources faster than they can be naturally replenished. Think of it like an ecological overdraft. And it's not only getting worse every year.
Imagine a calendar accelerating in reverse, with the date of Earth Overshoot Day landing earlier and earlier every year. This acceleration isn't a quirk of time but a chilling reminder of our unchecked consumption. In the not-so-distant past of flares and disco (i.e. the 1970s), we actually lived within the ecological boundaries of Mother Earth and her ability to regenerate. But the rampant capitalism and overconsumption made famous by Gordon Gecko (i.e. the 1980s), catapulted us into an alarming trajectory where today we’re consuming 1.75x Earth’s worth of resources, every single year.
This ecological deficit is obviously not good, and it is also clearly unsustainable. The solution is nothing short of a revolution against the mindless overconsumption that got us into this mess in the first place.
Overconsumption is a reckless spending spree that puts the planet's wellbeing at risk, and reverberates through ecosystems by triggering deforestation, pollution, and carbon emissions. The consequences of these borrowing costs are as undeniable as they are existential: climate change, biodiversity loss, and an ecological imbalance that literally threatens our future.
Less is more, because more is death.
Earth Overshoot Day is a reminder that change is both a personal commitment and a collective endeavour.
However, there's a solution rooted in a simple yet powerful shift—quality over quantity. Imagine channeling our consumer prowess towards well-considered purchases that stand the test of time. By choosing products with lasting value and timeless style, we mitigate waste, reduce the demand for production, and ultimately slam the brakes on the cycle of overconsumption.
The fashion industry serves as an impactful example.
Approximately 60% of the clothes produced today contain petro-yarns like polyester. This reliance on fossil fuels to not only power the majority of factories around the world, but also make the fabrics, is why fashion is considered to be the second most polluting industry in the world after oil and gas. So whilst fast fashion is incredibly tempting in so many ways, the creation of the clothes contributes massively to our ecological overdraft. And this is exacerbated by the fact that on average, we are also wearing clothes for less time than ever before, enabled by historically low prices.
Which is why embracing quality and timeless style over fleeting trends is one of the most potent political actions you can take in the fight against climate change. Buying better by buying less will not only transform your wardrobe, but it will also rewire the entire fashion industry away from disposability whilst reducing carbon emissions at the same time.
Earth Overshoot Day is a reminder that change is both a personal commitment and a collective endeavour. Raising awareness about this critical day initiates a conversation about consumption patterns that we can no longer continue to ignore by burying our heads in the sand.
Fuck guilt, we need action.
With each mindful decision, we shape a world where ecological balance and human wellbeing are harmonised.
From supporting eco-conscious brands to encouraging governmental policies, together we need to forge a path toward a healthier planet. This urgency stems from the fact that our current trajectory is not only unsustainable but actually getting worse.
Earth Overshoot Day calls for a paradigm shift—one where sustainability isn't an afterthought but the cornerstone of our choices. Here at Citizen Wolf we think of Earth Overshoot Day as a call to arms that resonates beyond personal preferences, forcing us to reimagine our relationship with the planet.
Reflecting on Earth Overshoot Day isn't just an exercise in guilt; it's an opportunity for change. By prioritising quality, we contribute to a thriving future where sustainability isn't a luxury but a necessity. With each mindful decision, we shape a world where ecological balance and human wellbeing are harmonised.
Let's heed the call of Earth Overshoot Day—to reassess, recalibrate, and rewrite our narrative. Our planet deserves a future that's balanced, vibrant, and secure. The journey starts with every single one of us making conscious choices that embrace quality over excess to pave the way for a sustainable tomorrow.
Fashion is only one part of the puzzle, but it is a critical piece and also one of the easiest things we can all do to create immediate change. And Citizen Wolf exists to make it easy for you to shop your values with conviction – ethically made in Australia, with 48% less carbon created per unit than fast fashion, and custom-made to fit your body with our Magic Fit® technology.
Win-Win.