On August 2, Earth Overshoot Day was declared by the Global Footprint Network, highlighting the depletion of a year’s worth of sustainable natural resources by the planet’s population. Switzerland, in particular, hit this concerning milestone several weeks earlier on May 13, displaying a higher-than-average level of resource consumption.

Environmental activists expressed their concerns and organized protests following Swiss Overshoot Day’s announcement. The Global Footprint Network emphasized that Earth Overshoot Day is a consequence of humanity’s demand, surpassing Earth’s ecosystem’s regenerative capacity by 70%.

One of the major factors contributing to this ecological imbalance is food consumption, which currently accounts for approximately 50% of Earth’s biocapacity. Switzerland has set ambitious climate goals, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, and has committed to halving emissions by 2030 in accordance with the Paris climate agreement.

However, despite implementing coronavirus lockdowns and experiencing an unusually warm winter, the country narrowly missed its emission reduction target for 2020. Consequently, Switzerland’s ranking on the Climate Change Performance Index 2023 dropped from 15th to 22nd place.

In response to the alarming resource depletion, Switzerland and other nations face the challenge of implementing sustainable practices to restore ecological balance and reduce their ecological footprints.

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