Can we „move the date “? From Earth overshoot day to local action

Did you know that by 24 July 2025 humanity had already used up all the resources that the Earth can regenerate this year? From that day onwards, we are living on ecological debt, borrowing resources from the future. Shocking, isn’t it? 

But how do we know this? 

Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by dividing the planet’s biocapacity (the amount of ecological resources Earth can generate in a year) by humanity’s ecological footprint (our demand for resources that year), and then multiplying by 365 days. In other words, it tells us the date when we start living beyond the planet’s means. 

This reality is especially alarming when we think about the future: by 2050, between 70% and 80% of people are expected to live in urban areas. This means that sustainable urban planning will be crucial—energy-efficient buildings, compact cities, public transport, and people-powered mobility are not only possible, but necessary to make our societies more resilient. If humanity manages to “move the date” by just 6 days each year, we could end overshoot before 2050. (link: https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/)  

In the IL4SH project, we are working to connect these global challenges with local education and family life. Our aim is to bring younger and older generations together through intergenerational learning and citizen science projects, especially in the context of climate and sustainability education in secondary schools. 

At the moment, we are finalizing our Virtual Toolkit, which includes a DIY manual of four workshops. These workshops will give teachers, students, and families practical tools to better understand sustainability and to take action—together. This autumn, as part of WP4, we will also organize local workshops for teachers and youth workers in September and October, and we are preparing a project meeting in Germany. You will hear more about these activities in our next blog post! 

What can we do today? 

Big change starts with small steps. Here are a few simple actions we can all take to live more sustainably: 

  • Reduce single-use plastics and choose reusable alternatives. 
  • Save energy by turning off lights and using energy-efficient appliances. 
  • Walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of driving when possible. 
  • Choose seasonal and local food to lower your ecological footprint. 
  • Repair, reuse, or upcycle items before buying new ones. 

Before you start, why not check how sustainable your lifestyle already is? Try this footprint calculator: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/  

Together, across generations, we can learn, act, and help “move the date.”