Earth Overshoot
Provided by: 1y4e|Published on: September 9, 2025|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Biology, Geography
Authors: 1y4e
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this resource from 1y4e, students will read about the history and definition of Earth Overshoot Day.
- Students will understand that humans are using resources faster than the Earth can regenerate them and that goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, need to be made and carried out to avoid disastrous consequences.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The Definition article in this resource provides a student-friendly explanation and infographics that provide additional information and clarity.
- Also included in the Definition article is a section for those who want to contribute to sustainability. It provides actions of varying difficulty, which will empower students to make a change.
Prerequisites
- The Action article in this resource contains a lot of vocabulary that may be new and challenging for students. Teachers may want to define some of the terms in advance.
- Students should understand the concept of natural resources and the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Students should also understand that, though many resources are renewable, they take time to regenerate.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, teachers can use resources from this guide that fit their students' needs.
- Teachers can incorporate this resource into a beginning-of-the-year goal-setting activity, discussing short-, medium-, and long-term goals and how to set an achievable goal.
- After reading through, teachers may want to clarify how climate change influences Earth Overshoot Day, and how human actions that extract resources also cause emissions and exacerbate climate change.
This resource from One Year for Earth (1y4e) introduces students to the concept of ecological overshoot. It links to a variety of supporting materials, including explainers, infographics, and interactive tools. One highlight is the open-access data portal from the Global Footprint Network, which lets students explore country-level ecological footprint and biocapacity data. The data throughout is well-sourced and up-to-date. This resource would make a great addition to classroom discussions on sustainability, global resource use, and working with real-world data.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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