🌍 Earth Overshoot Day 2025: Humanity Lives on Ecological Credit Starting July 24

Thursday, July 24, 2025, marks Earth Overshoot Day—the date when humanity has used up all the ecological resources that the planet can regenerate in a year.

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Faced with ever-increasing consumption—especially of water—and the growing frequency of heatwaves and droughts, WWF France is sounding the alarm. Alongside the Global Footprint Network, the organization stresses the urgent need to transform our systems, particularly in agriculture and food, to push this critical date later in the calendar.

❓ What is Earth Overshoot Day?

According to the Global Footprint Network, Earth Overshoot Day is the date when human demand for ecological resources exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. In 2025, we are consuming resources 80% faster than the planet can renew them—equivalent to using the resources of 1.8 Earths.

From July 25 onward, we are living on ecological credit, depleting natural capital such as water, soil, and forests that will not be replenished.

📉 A Concerning Trend

In 2025, Earth Overshoot Day moved back by 8 days compared to 2024, when it fell on August 1. While part of this shift is due to updated scientific data (e.g., revised estimates of the ocean’s carbon sequestration capacity), the overall trend remains alarming.

If everyone lived like the average French citizen, Overshoot Day would have occurred as early as April 19.

💧 A Vital Resource Under Pressure: Water

Many people think of water consumption as limited to what comes out of the tap. But our “invisible water footprint”—the water used to produce everything we consume—is far greater.

In France, this hidden water use amounts to 500 liters per person per day, more than three times our visible consumption (140–150 liters). Half of this footprint comes from food, and much of it originates in water-stressed regions.

🍽️ The Water We Eat

Our food choices have a direct and often underestimated impact on global water resources. On average, 250 liters of our daily water footprint come from our diet alone. This includes the water used to grow crops, raise livestock, and process food—much of which occurs in regions already facing water stress or scarcity.

For example, producing just one kilogram of beef can require up to 15,000 liters of water, while a single cup of coffee may use around 130 liters, factoring in the water needed to grow, process, and transport the beans. These hidden water costs—known as virtual water—are embedded in nearly everything we eat.

What’s more, a significant portion of this water comes from countries where water resources are already overexploited. This means that our consumption patterns in one part of the world can directly affect water availability and food security in another.

By choosing more plant-based, seasonal, and locally sourced foods, we can significantly reduce our water footprint. Shifting away from water-intensive products like irrigated soy or maize-fed meat toward rain-fed crops and extensive grazing systems is a powerful way to protect global water supplies and build a more sustainable food system.

🌱 Concrete Solutions Exist

As France faces increasingly frequent and severe droughts, WWF France emphasizes the urgent need to rethink our agricultural and food systems, which together account for over 60% of the country’s freshwater use and more than half of its national water footprint.

This transformation begins with embracing agroecology—a model of farming that works with nature rather than against it. Agroecological practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced pesticide use, help retain soil moisture, improve biodiversity, and reduce dependency on irrigation. These methods not only conserve water but also enhance the resilience of farms to climate shocks.

A shift toward local and plant-based diets is another powerful lever. Plant-based foods generally require far less water to produce than animal-based products. Encouraging consumption of seasonal, locally grown produce reduces the need for long-distance transportation and irrigation-intensive crops, while supporting regional farmers and economies.

In livestock farming, promoting extensive, pasture-based systems—where animals graze on natural grasslands rather than being fed irrigated maize or imported soy—can significantly reduce water use and environmental degradation. These systems also contribute to healthier soils and carbon sequestration.

Replacing water-intensive crops like maize with more drought-resistant alternatives or restoring natural grasslands and wetlands can further enhance water retention in landscapes. These nature-based solutions not only safeguard water resources but also provide habitats for wildlife and buffer communities against floods and heatwaves.

Ultimately, these changes are not just about reducing water use—they are about building a more sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient food system. With the right policies, incentives, and public awareness, France—and the world—can move toward a future where food security and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

📅 Earth Overshoot Day: Historical Dates (2015–2025)

Year	Earth Overshoot Day
2015	August 6
2016	August 8
2017	August 2
2018	August 1
2019	July 29
2020	August 22 (COVID impact)
2021	July 29
2022	July 28
2023	August 2
2024	August 1
2025	July 24

(Source: Global Footprint Network [1])

🌱 In Short: A Turning Point for the Planet and Humanity

Earth Overshoot Day is not just a symbolic date—it is a stark reminder of the unsustainable path humanity is on. Each year that this day arrives earlier reflects the growing pressure we place on our planet’s ecosystems, from deforestation and biodiversity loss to water scarcity and climate instability.

Yet, within this crisis lies a powerful opportunity.

By rethinking how we produce, consume, and live, we can reverse the trend. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture, adopting plant-rich and local diets, reducing waste, and investing in nature-based solutions are not only essential for the planet—they also promise healthier communities, stronger economies, and greater resilience in the face of climate change.

The shift requires collective action—from governments and industries to individuals and families. Every choice matters. By pushing Earth Overshoot Day later in the year, we move closer to living within the means of our one and only planet.

The future is not written yet. But with urgency, innovation, and solidarity, we can write a better one—starting today.