The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet

Overconsumption is a prevalent issue in today’s world. From water to food and from commodities to energy resources, humans are consuming way more than their needs and putting a burden on the planet by doing so.

One of the most significant consequences of overconsumption is the depletion of natural resources. Earth Overshoot Day is a concept that marks the day in each year in which all natural resources regenerated by the Earth that year has been used up by humans. Across the world, Earth Overshoot Day has gotten earlier from October in 2000 to August in 2015.

Other important consequences include the pollution caused by overconsumption. The consumption of products and production of large amounts of waste that follows easily creates pollution. We fill up landfill after landfill, in which our waste releases chemicals and contaminants that leak into our groundwater supply and pollute our precious water source. Moreover, the waste accumulating in landfills emit gases such as methane and cause air pollution along with the enhanced greenhouse effect.