Earth offers a limitless supply of natural resources for us to use. But has anyone stopped to wonder if the earth’s resources will eventually run out one day? Will humanity use up the planet’s allowance of natural resources? According to international research organization Global Footprint Network, Earth Overshoot Day lands on July 29^th this year, the earliest ever, alerting the world about the alarming condition of our environment. As nations around the world fights for our planet, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg started a school strike for the climate last August, soon inspiring millions of other children in cities around the world began following suit. They are fighting for their future and the future of the planet.

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Moving the date to preserve earth’s natural resources

In 2018, humanity used up nature’s resource budget for the entire year, according to Global Footprint Network. Despite countless action steps and solutions to move the date back, this year’s July 29^th still marked the earliest every Earth Overshoot Day, meaning that humanity has consumed a year’s worth of carbon, water, food, land and timber in a record of 210 days – meaning that we would need 1.7 earths to accommodate our current consumption levels.

There are no borders or age restrictions when it comes to changing climate change. Global Footprint Network provided solutions and actions that we can take to move the date. For instance, replacing 50% of meat consumption with vegetarian food can move the date back 3 days and according to an analysis by researchers from Global Footprint Network and Schneider Electric, existing off-the-shelf, commercial technologies for buildings, industrial processes and electricity production could move Overshoot Day by at least 21 days. What’s more, reducing the carbon component of the global ecological footprint by 50% could move the date 3 whole months. Moving the date of Earth Overshoot Day is possible and necessary to warn the world of the seriousness of climate change.

Students fight for their future

An IPCC Special Report shocked many with the prediction that we have only 11 years left to avert the climate change catastrophe before the world is hit by extreme drought, forest fires, floods and famine. Eleven years from now is the time when young people are at the peak of their lives; they will be at an age where they can accomplish greatness. Instead, they will be left to cope with the results and carry this burden. Earth Overshoot Day is getting earlier each year, and Greta Thunberg is making sure that her voice is heard. Last August, the young teenager captured the attention of the world when she skipped school, sat down outside the Swedish parliament with a handwritten sign and determination to fight for the environment and to push the government in line with a 1.5℃ world. The school strike leader spoke for her generation at the COP24 summit. “We children are doing this because we want our hopes and dreams back,” Greta said, emphasizing the urgency of this issue.

Green actions: Making a monumental difference

O’right believes that small changes can make a monumental difference. Since 2009, we have committed to taking eco-friendly actions and making sustainable choices in order to lessen our burden on the planet and reduce our carbon footprint, including banning single-use plastic packaging, reducing plastic use, planting trees, CSR initiatives as well as making our raw materials, packaging, electricity, logistics and services as green as possible.

Green impact: Sowing green seeds

Many years of low carbon initiatives and commitment to sustainability has created a cumulative effect. This year, we teamed up with the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC) in hopes of spreading green knowledge on the environment and climate and raising awareness among elementary, junior and senior high school students. We should all speak up for earth and create a more sustainable future together.