Earth Overshoot Day Germany – 10 May 2026
It was only a few weeks ago that NASA astronauts released fascinating images of a very special "earthrise" behind the Moon. The world marvelled and once again realised: we have no "Planet B". Far and wide, there is no alternative to this single planet on which we live.
As of today, 10 May, Germany has already depleted its natural resources for the entire year. Today is Germany's Earth Overshoot Day. It marks the point at which as many natural raw materials have been consumed as the Earth's ecosystems can regenerate within a whole year.
From tomorrow, Germany will therefore be living on credit – at the expense of our planet and with all the associated consequences. If everyone were to manage resources and consume in the same manner as in Germany, we would mathematically require the resources of three Earths. The consequences include climate change, droughts, floods, heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and the acidification and warming of the oceans.
Qatar is the saddest frontrunner in resource consumption, having reached its limit on 4 February 2026. Only a few countries do not exceed their annually available resources, including Nigeria, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
This makes it all the more urgent to adapt our lifestyle: away from coal, oil, and gas, and towards a rigorous expansion of renewable energies. That would at least be an important first step.
Source: Global Footprint Network
