From Overshoot Day to Regeneration Day
Earth Overshoot Day serves as an annual reminder to raise awareness among as many people as possible that by this date, we as a species have used more resources than our planet can regenerate within the year. Last year, that day fell on August 1. If everyone in the world lived like we do in Switzerland, Overshoot Day would have arrived as early as May 7. What can we do in terms of our food culture to help push this date later in the year?
Overshoot Day was launched by the non-governmental organization Global Footprint Network. Each year, it calculates how much humanity’s or individual countries’ resource consumption exceeds the planet’s regenerative capacity. A country’s specific Overshoot Day symbolically marks the date on which it has used up its fair share of the Earth’s renewable resources for that year. It offers a concrete illustration of the planet’s ecological limits.
A Later Overshoot Begins on the Plate
If we want to push Switzerland’s Overshoot Day into the second half of the year (which is an ambitious and economically necessary goal) we should start with our food culture. What we eat and where our food comes from have an immediate impact on the resource consumption of our food system.
We at Soil to Soul view regenerative agriculture as the key to sustainable nutrition. This approach focuses on a respectful relationship with nature, promoting a balance between soil, animals, and plants. It not only promotes sustainable livestock farming but also helps preserve and restore soils, which are essential for long-term fertility. In regenerative farming, animals play an active role in improving soil quality. They keep grasslands healthy, support the formation of humus, and naturally fertilize the soil. This approach not only helps maintain the land but can also restore damaged soils to their productive state.
Enjoying Rather Than Moralizing
Meat and animal products from regenerative agriculture are not a utopian concept but an essential part of a future-proof food system that combines ecology with food security. Regenerative agriculture helps soils retain water, bind CO₂, and deliver stable yields even under challenging climatic conditions, which is exactly what we need as extreme weather events, droughts, and price fluctuations increase.
Regenerative agriculture is not only an ecological but also a strategic approach. It strengthens the resilience of our food system and thus our independence. Yet current societal trends are heading in a different direction: Fast, cheap, and more. Values that are gaining importance once again. However, like any trend, there is also a countertrend. Overshoot doesn’t mean we have no choice. Overshoot is our reality, and ignoring it will work against us. Ultimately, it’s about making better decisions.
A Path to Sustainability
Mathis Wackernagel, founder of the Global Footprint Network, says, “The biggest barrier is that many people view the transition to sustainability as a matter of personal sacrifice for the greater good of humanity.” This was reflected in the vote on living within planetary boundaries on February 9. The proposal was rejected because its supporters argued that it was our moral duty to sacrifice for the sake of humanity, while the opponents believed that while such a sacrifice might be noble, it would be too costly for Switzerland. On the other hand, just six months earlier, a proposal to expand renewable energy—essentially a similar idea–was accepted by a large majority because it emphasized the benefits for Switzerland. More of this approach is needed. Only then will the idea take hold that preparing for the inevitable challenges of climate change and resource scarcity is ultimately in our best interest.