From sunny holidays to simple home swaps, small summer changes can cut waste, save energy, and help push Earth Overshoot Day back.
Summer is here. A season of longer days, family adventures, and often, higher costs for both our wallets and our environment. From extra car trips to higher energy use and food waste, the summer holidays can leave a bigger footprint than we realise.
That’s why it’s the perfect time to learn, teach, and take small actions that protect nature and save money. And this year, the timing couldn’t be more urgent, because Earth Overshoot Day has arrived even earlier than ever before. And this is not a good indication.
What Earth Overshoot Day Means
Earth Overshoot Day is the date each year when we’ve used up all the natural resources the planet can replace in that year, like a yearly “budget” for nature. After that day, we are effectively living on credit from the Earth, using up resources faster than they can be renewed.
This year, it fell on 24 July, the earliest since records began in 2006. Humanity is consuming resources 1.8 times faster than the planet can recover. Without action, this trend will worsen.
How We Can We SAVE
Our Saving and Valuing Energy (SAVE) campaign usually runs in the colder months to help you cut energy waste and save money. But its message matters in summer too: use less, waste less, and make the most of the season.
Avoid Overconsumption
Overusing resources like food, energy, wood, water, and plastic strains the planet. Cutting back helps push Overshoot Day later in the year, giving nature a chance to recover.
Every day changes that help
- Food: Buy only what you need. Halving global food waste could delay Overshoot Day by 13 days.
- Wood: Trees take time to grow. Planting more could move the date by up to 8 days.
- Clothing: Over-buying creates waste and supports unsustainable factories. Try second-hand first.
- Travel: Cutting car trips in half and using walking, cycling, or public transport could delay the date by 13 days.
Every step makes a difference. You can pledge to take action on the Earth Overshoot Day website or sign our local carbon reduction pledge. Saving resources also saves money for families, individuals, and businesses.
Top Tips for a Sustainable Summer
Make the most of daylight, switch off lights during long summer days.- Turn down or switch off your thermostat to save gas.
- Dry clothes outside and avoid the tumble dryer to save electricity and money.
- Plan meals and shopping lists to reduce waste and stick to your budget.
- Reuse water from baths, showers, or sinks to water your garden.
- Buy or sell second-hand clothes to save money and cut landfill waste.
Educating Future Sustainable Superheroes
Teaching good habits now sets future generations up for success. Make it fun with games like “shortest shower wins” or “most lights switched off” to get the family involved. Gardening and home crafts are hands-on ways to show kids where resources come from and why they matter.
Without action, Earth Overshoot Day will keep creeping earlier, risking a future where nature can not keep up.
This summer, what step will you take to protect nature and help push Earth Overshoot Day back?
We would love to hear from you
Share your stories, experiences, and photos of nature, and send us a few lines on how you are helping protect our environment in County Durham. Whether it is something you do personally, a community project you may be involved in, a business change or action, or even a great photo of nature. We want to celebrate and share your efforts and views.
Send us your stories or photos (with a short explanation) by emailing climatecountydurham@durham.gov.uk or by filling in our Get in Touch form and help inspire others across our beautiful county to take action. And do not forget to sign up to our Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Pledge.
