This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Environmental warning: European Union straining its natural resources Plumes of smoke rise from Europe's largest lignite power plant in Belchatow, Poland, November 28, 2018. Photo from: AP/Czarek Sokolowski Europe is quickly using up natural resources such as wood, water and gas. Before, the Earth could replace the natural resources we use throughout the year. A new study shows that isn't true nowadays. If everyone used as many natural resources as Europe this year, the Earth couldn't replace those resources anymore. Even worse, we would have reached this point by May, not even halfway through the year. It's not possible for everyone to use natural resources as the European Union (EU) does. To do this, we would need the resources of almost three planets. This information comes from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Global Footprint Network. Both organizations work on projects related to the environment. Overstraining Natural Resources Ester Asin works for WWF. She says that the EU's use of natural materials is helping to destroy the environment. She believes it is irresponsible and dangerous. Asin added that EU leaders need to By The Guardian, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.21.19 Word Count 641 Level 850L This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. act quickly to create a better environmental future for Europe. If the EU were a country, it would have the world's third-highest ecological footprint. Only the United States and China have higher footprints. An ecological footprint is the amount of natural resources needed to support a people or country. Biocapacity is the amount of resources the environment has to offer. Europe makes up just less than one tenth of the world's population, but it it uses up a fifth of its biocapacity. Imported Products Also Hurt The Environment Europe also imports products such as palm oil, soy, cocoa and rubber. These products come from deforested parts of Latin America, Africa and Asia. Deforestation hurts the environment. WWF's "Overshoot Day" for the Earth is due in about three months. Overshoot Day is the day that humans' ecological footprint passes the Earth's biocapacity for the year. In other words, it is the day humans use up all the resources the Earth can provide that year. Every year, Overshoot Day comes earlier. The new study is the first focused on Europe. It finds that on average, European Overshoot Days are in early May. Still, Luxembourg used up its natural resources within the first 46 days of 2016. Romania made it to July 12, while the United Kingdom lasted until May 17. Still, this doesn't compare to countries such as Cuba, Morocco or Niger. Their overshoot days fall in December. In 1961, Europe was only able to live sustainably until October 13. "Clear Call To Action" To Protect Earth's Resources The EU official Margrethe Vestager described the WWF report as "a clear call to action" for protecting the Earth's resources. She added that it is important for more people to realize the importance of protecting these resources. It's the smart thing to do, she said. It benefits not only our living conditions but our economy too. Nico Cué is a European politician. He says Europe needs to make some changes. This can include changing how we make, use and recycle products. Still, climate action is moving slowly. Emissions of harmful greenhouse gases are at record levels. A number recently released shows that renewable energy stopped growing last year. Renewable energy refers to energy sources that cannot be used up. For example, wind and solar energy are types of renewable energy. More renewable energy is needed every year until 2030 to meet the Paris climate agreement goals. Many countries signed the agreement in 2016. They promised to make an effort to reduce climate change. France, Spain and six other EU countries want immediate action. They met with other EU countries in Sibiu, Romania, in May. They need the other EU countries to support them. If they don't, it's unlikely any action will be taken. The EU sees itself as a global climate and environment leader. However, it is unlikely to fully meet its 2020 environmental goals.