Global earth overload day: BUND demands resource protection law for sustainable management
Global earth overload day: BUND demands resource protection law for sustainable management
global overlay day: The awareness of the gentle use of resources must be strengthened!
On August 1st, the global overlay day has begun. On this day, humanity has already used up all renewable resources that are available to us for the whole year. Industrial countries such as Germany in particular live significantly over their circumstances and thus endanger our natural livelihoods. The BUND for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) therefore calls for urgent Federal Government measures to significantly reduce resource consumption.
Germany plays an important role in global wastage of resources. Areas such as mining, chemical industry and industrial agriculture have a significant impact on species death and the climate crisis. The federal chairman Olaf Bandt emphasizes the need to quickly implement the draft for the national circulatory business strategy (NKWS) in order to use our resources sustainably.
A key role for lower consumption lies in sufficiency - less resource consumption for an improved quality of life. Due to longer durability, better repair options and the establishment of reusable systems can be avoided and resources can be protected. These measures also create new jobs and reduce the dependence on imports. However, it is necessary to take binding measures to strengthen these areas. The aim should be to introduce reusable systems in the packaging area by 2045.
The national circulatory economic strategy (NKWS) precisely names the problems, but there are no concrete activities and binding responsibilities. The federal government welcomes the goal of the strategy to halve resource consumption, however, for even more ambitious goals and a revision of the legal framework.
In order to significantly lower resource consumption and to achieve the binding climate protection and biodiversity goals under international law, the federal government has long been calling for a resource protection law. This law is intended to include a clear protection goal, reduction paths, monitoring, sanctions and reporting obligations. A legal framework is urgently required to clarify responsibilities and promote sustainable management. The Federal Government is asked to adopt a resource protection law as part of the national circulatory business strategy.
It is urgently needed to reduce the constantly increasing consumption of energy and material resources. In the long term, this is only possible if we say goodbye to the economic growth model and develop new models for prosperity. In order to initiate this transformation at short notice, a resource protection law with a binding reduction path is necessary. A circular economy can make a decisive contribution to reducing resource consumption and is essential for resilient fabric flows. The federal government therefore welcomes the development of the national circulatory business strategy (NKWS) by the Federal Government.
However, it is important to note that a circular economy has its limits. The cycles cannot be completely closed and primary raw materials can only be partially replaced by secondary raw materials. Therefore, the NKWs should concentrate on the overarching goal of absolute and significant reduction in primary resource consumption. The Federal Government is asked to determine concrete resource protection goals, such as reducing the consumption of non -living primary raw materials by about 90% by 2050The Global Earth Overhoot Day is an important reason to strengthen awareness of a gentle use of resources. It is time for politics to act urgently and get a resource protection law on the way to enable a sustainable future.