Översköt

Översköt is a Swedish term that translates to "overshoot" in English. It is most commonly used in the context of environmental science and sustainability, referring to the state where human demand on the planet's ecosystems exceeds the Earth's biocapacity to regenerate. This means that humanity is consuming resources faster than they can be replenished and producing waste faster than it can be absorbed.

The concept of overshoot highlights the unsustainable nature of current global consumption patterns. It implies that humanity is drawing down natural capital, such as forests, fish stocks, and fertile soil, and accumulating environmental burdens like greenhouse gases and pollution. This depletion of resources and accumulation of waste can lead to a range of negative consequences, including biodiversity loss, climate change, resource scarcity, and social instability.

Measuring overshoot typically involves comparing humanity's ecological footprint (the demand placed on nature) with the Earth's biocapacity (the planet's ability to regenerate). When the ecological footprint exceeds biocapacity, an overshoot situation exists. Efforts to address overshoot often focus on reducing consumption, increasing resource efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The goal is to bring human demand back within the planet's regenerative limits to ensure long-term ecological and societal well-being.