Ahead of Global Earth Overshoot Day tomorrow, 1 August, Misereor is calling on the German government and the European Union not to let up in their efforts to implement a consistent climate and resource policy. "In view of the threat to the preservation of our creation, we cannot afford to delay or water down the necessary socio-ecological transformation," emphasises Andreas Frick, Managing Director of the Catholic aid organisation. In Germany and Europe, this applies above all to the areas of transport, buildings, agriculture and industry, where the necessary changes need to be accelerated.
Every year, Earth Overshoot Day marks the point in time when humanity has already used up all the resources available on our planet for twelve months and can be restored. In 2024, this date calculated by the American organisation Global Footprintnetwork is one day earlier than the year before - an almost stagnant development.
Binding EU-wide targets for phasing out fossil fuels
"Germany and the EU have already taken important steps towards fair and sustainable development," praises Frick. "However, we are currently experiencing a series of political conflicts that could lead us to deviate from our consistent path again." The "Green Deal" process initiated by the EU Commission, for example, should not be relativised by industrial interests. Instead, the unrestricted and fair implementation of ambitious targets is the order of the day. "This includes binding deadlines for the EU member states to phase out the various fossil fuels." At the same time, every effort must be made to ensure that this transformation is socially just. Citizens should be clearly and transparently informed about all the necessary steps and, if necessary, supported in their implementation.
Where oil leaks contaminate entire regions
Kathrin Schroeder, Head of Policy and Global Issues at Misereor, warns the German government against continuing to invest in fossil fuel extraction on the African continent: "Fossil fuels are fuelling the climate crisis, which is affecting many African countries in particular. And they are causing great damage in the countries where they are extracted. They are driving national economies into dependency on fossil fuel companies. They also have a devastating impact on local people. In Nigeria, oil leaks have been contaminating entire areas for decades. In Senegal, gas extraction is threatening marine protected areas. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is selling oil concessions for areas in the middle of the rainforest. In Mozambique, violence is escalating in the province of Cabo Delgado due to a conflict over natural gas deposits." Misereor believes that countries with a high emissions burden, such as Germany, have a duty to do something completely different to counter this development and to provide financial and technological support for Africa's transition to renewable energies.
Action for change in our own everyday lives
"Enough for everyone! Enough for me?" is the title of a current Misereor campaign in which the development aid organisation invites people to make a conscious contribution to greater sustainability and environmental protection. The aim is to find ways for yourself to live within the planetary boundaries and lead to more social justice worldwide. More information: Enough for everyone - enough for me | Sufficiency campaign | Misereor
Link to blog post:
