Our planet is full of resources, let’s surpass ourselves!

According to the latest report from WWF and the Global Footprint Network, the French have been increasing their ecological deficit since May 5. This day is therefore the day of overshoot. Why such a date?

Because of the calculation of our ecological footprint on natural resources. "We would need 2.9 Earths if the entire world lived like the French," the report insists. When we know that the combustion of fossil fuels represents 56% of France's carbon footprint, we understand why we will be living on credit for nearly two-thirds of 2018.

Much better, it's possible

To have a chance of delaying this famous French overshoot day, we must continue on the path of energy transition. Many solutions exist and are already made possible by citizens. Their investments in local renewable energy projects using the sun, wind, water, and agricultural waste provide us with clean energy.

100% renewable energy scenario

Globally, renewable energies are on the rise. Last year, new records were broken in terms of new installed capacity: a 32% increase for wind power, and a 10% increase for solar power. At the same time, their costs, in free fall, are increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA estimates that by 2020, it will be less expensive to produce electricity from renewable energy sources than from fossil fuels.

While France appears to be lagging behind, its citizens are not. They are investing in the local development of renewable energy through crowdfunding tools like those of Enerfip.

Aware of the challenges and the will of the French[1], several local authorities as well as metropolitan areas (Rouen Normandy, Strasbourg, Greater Paris, Bordeaux) have just made 100% renewable commitments.

Cyrille Arnoux, web editorial manager

[1] 88% of French people are ready to buy renewable energy

Source: IFOP/WWF survey (November 2017)