August 2nd is Earth Overshoot Day #BeInconvenient

Say it Rah-shay By Rachee Aug 03, 2017 No Comments

Today must have been “Al Gore” Day. First he was on CBS This Morning being interviewed by Charlie Rose and the two sub hosts about Gore’s new project, “An Inconvenient Sequel.” I half listed as I puttered around and started my day but tonight as I was running errands after work, I was glued to the radio listening to Al Gore being interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air.

This is some scary stuff. While I know that the Earth is in some real danger, I tend to think of it as something that is going to happen further down the line, when I am worm food, when The Bee is worm food and her kid’s kids (if she so chooses to procreate) are worm food. There is the tendency to think that this is someone else’s issue. I recycle! I am using Freecycle and practice buy nothing and swap groups. I give things to people who need them.

I am doing my part….or am I?

Listening to Al Gore speak to Terry Gross made me forget all about “AL GORE the politician but made me appreciate him as the activist he is. Gore is sharing information about the danger that the Earth is in, WE are in and how it’s time to get real and do something.

August 2nd is (was) Earth Overshoot Day and this day marks the date when humanity has exhausted nature’s budget for the year. For the rest of the year, we are maintaining our ecological deficit by drawing down local resource stocks and accumulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

We are operating in overshoot.

When I took the quiz I was surprised to learn that *my* personal overshoot day was APRIL 5th! I am a wasteful such and such! Since 2003, the Global Footprint Network has engaged with more than 50 nations, 30 cities, and 70 global partners to deliver scientific insights that have driven high-impact policy and investment decisions. Every year people demand more from nature than it can regenerate. The date generated by the Global Footprint Network can help individuals, communities and government leaders to better manage limited resources, reduce economic risk, and improve well-being.

That is why I want to share that this Friday, a decade after AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH brought climate change into the heart of popular culture, comes the riveting and rousing follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight traveling around the world training an army of climate champions and influencing international climate policy. Cameras follow him behind the scenes – in moments both private and public, funny and poignant – as he pursues the inspirational idea that while the stakes have never been higher, the perils of climate change can be overcome with human ingenuity and passion.