Earth Overshoot Day 2022: what to know and how you can help

Earth Overshoot Day 2022 is quickly approaching, and it's forcing us to think about our relationship with Mother Nature. 

We expect a lot from Her—too much, in fact. Small tasks like shopping the best sustainable fashion brands, working on upcycled garden ideas and recycling are great ways to start reducing our ecological footprint, but there is quite a bit of work to be done from society as a whole. 

We'll fill you in on Earth Overshoot Day, what it means and how you can make a difference. 

When is Earth Overshoot Day? 2022 info

Earth Overshoot Day falls on May 19, 2022. 

Various countries are assigned their personal overshoot days. The United Kingdom falls on May 19 and neighboring European countries follow close by throughout the month of May.

But things came earlier in the US with an Earth Overshoot Day of March 13. Australia followed 10 days later on March 23. Two countries, Qatar and Luxembourg, marked February 2022 Overshoot Days, the earliest on record for the year. 

In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day fell on July 29. 

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

According to the Earth Overshoot Day website, this is "the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year."

How is it calculated?

Per the website, Global Footprint Network is responsible for the calculations. It's "computed by dividing the planet’s biocapacity (the amount of ecological resources Earth is able to generate that year), by humanity’s Ecological Footprint (humanity’s demand for that year), and multiplying by 365.

• (Earth’s Biocapacity / Humanity’s Ecological Footprint) x 365 = Earth Overshoot Day

Why is Earth Overshoot Day Getting earlier?

"With a rise in emissions and biodiversity loss happening at a high rate, this trend is set to continue and it's predicted that world natural resources could run out by 2040," says Suzie Gillespie, founder of Moo & Yoo. "Reducing our carbon footprint as individuals and as a business is without doubt the most significant thing we can do."

Echoing that sentiment is Anna Brightman, co-founder of UpCircle: "It’s clear that vast improvements need to be made across the globe if we’re to improve our ecological footprint. The world has finite resources, and at the minute we are depleting them at a scary rate."

How you can help

In order to #MoveTheDay and help Mother Nature, here are a few simple things you can consider to take a step towards a more sustainable future. 

1. Shop sustainable brands

For your convenience, we've rounded up the best sustainable fashion brands and the best sustainable jewelry brands to help you style with a purpose. 

According to Green Dreamer, these companies create products that are "designed, manufactured, distributed and used in ways that are environmentally friendly." 

Essentially, they're all about giving shoppers the best quality and in turn impacting the environment as little as possible.

2. Reduce one-time plastic usage

Since the majority of plastic is non-compostable and non-biodegradable, Get Green Now states that "every plastic item in existence will exist almost indefinitely on Earth."

Time to reconsider your utensils and culinary items. We don't think you'll mind shopping our picks for the best reusable water bottles. 

3. Opt for reusable menstrual products

Not only are reusable menstrual products beneficial for shoppers—they're cost-efficient, adaptable to all body sizes and durable—but they're better for the environment, too.

4. Consider dietary changes

If you're thinking about cutting back on your meat intake, have a look at our guide to vegan for beginners and peruse the list of vegan foods high in protein so you get all of the nutrients you need. 

5. Make changes at home

Reconsider your lightbulb choices, watch the thermostat and don't take hot showers that are too lengthy. (If you were wondering "Are cold showers good for you?" the pros make the case for a little chill!) There are small but impactful steps to make without leaving your abode.

6. Recycle

This goes without saying! Have a look at your community's recycling requirements and make your impact.

7. Upcycle

The upcycled meaning: taking something used—clothes, furniture, etc.—and using it to create another good of higher quality and/or value than the original piece. Have a go at the best upcycle ideas to try at home, from fashion to home decor!

8. Support others

We interviewed women who do their best for the Earth everyday. 

Lauren Bravo wrote a book on how to quit fast fashion after learning the negative environmental impacts of the industry whereas Mareya Ibrahim promotes ways in which to prolong food life and reduce food waste. 

Check out what these women are up to and how you can stand beside their initiatives.