For most of its history, humanity has used nature's resources in balance with the ability of natural systems to rebuild them. Starting from the 1970's, however, this equilibrium has been lost and human consumption has begun to exceed the yearly allowance of renewable resources of the planet.

August 19 was Earth Overshoot Day 2014, the date when humanity exhausted nature's budget for this year. For the remaining months, we will maintain our ecological deficit by depleting local resource stocks and accumulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The date of Earth Overshoot Day is calculated yearly by the Global Footprint Network, an NGO that measures humanity's demand for and supply of natural resources and ecological services. The result is that in approximately eight months we used up all the renewable resources and CO2 sequestration abilities the planet can provide for an entire year. Consequently, our annual consumption is now equivalent to that of more than 1.5 Earths, and the data shows us on track to require the resources of two planets well before mid-century.

Even though the Earth Overshoot Day is an approximate date, it is a good reminder that spending our capital faster than it can be replenished can only lead to bankruptcy, although in environmental terms.

For more information please visit the Global Footprint Network website