Have you heard of Earth Overshoot Day? It’s a day marked each year when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates during the entire year.

In other words, Earth Overshoot Day is when our consumption has exceeded the ability of the Earth to replenish itself.

In 2022, Earth Overshoot Day was alarmingly on 28th July – 5 months before the end of the year. It is estimated that in 2022 humans consumed 1.75 times the planet’s renewable resources. That clearly cannot continue.

Setting up a stay involves so much consumption, so we are part of the Earth Overshoot problem. We can lessen our contribution to the problem in the choices we make. Each stay is different, but how many new things – I mean brand new – do we actually need to buy to set up a stay?

Probably the only essential new things are mattresses and towels and pillows (for health reasons) and electrical goods (for safety reasons). Most other things to fit out and furnish your place need not be new consumption at all. Tableware, furniture and decorations can all be purchased secondhand, pre-loved, retro.

Setting up a stay involves so much consumption, so we are part of the Earth Overshoot problem. We can lessen our contribution to the problem in the choices we make. Each stay is different, but how many new things – I mean brand new – do we actually need to buy to set up a stay?

Do your plates and cups and bowls really need to match? You can find the loveliest retro-style plates etc in op shops. Pick a theme – autumn colours, pretty roses, ’50s geometrics – and hunt down tableware that suits your stay. It’s fun, your place will be unique, and secondhand tableware doesn’t contribute to Earth Overshoot.

Same goes for furniture and decorations. You can find unique pieces in antique and secondhand shops and there are loads of online sellers. Artwork? Do you really want that cheap print from Freedom? Find a local artist that makes the most beautiful work and hang something truly original. Or hang a branch, a nest, a handmade wreath from materials gathered from your garden.

If you want to buy new tableware, then consider buying commercial ware – the stuff that restaurants and cafes use – it doesn’t break! And consider supporting your local non-chain homewares store – they will stock commercial ware.

If you need to buy a new item, then consider buying:

  • locally made
  • from a local business
  • items made with fair labour practices
  • items with low kilometres
  • from an artist or artisanal maker
  • things that can be composted
  • things made with recovered or recycled materials
  • natural fibres only

And one of the most important things you can do is buy excellent quality, so you only buy once!

I am sure you have many more suggestions than these – this is just a start. This is not sackcloth-wearing penury: you can still have a beautiful stay and lessen your impact. And we don’t have to be perfect, but we can all do better.

Feel free to ask me how we have fitted out Kestrel Nest Eco-Hut!

Check out:

Earth Overshoot Day – www.overshootday.org

And #movethedate