---
title: "Overshoot (book)"
chunk: 2/4
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overshoot_(book)"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:33:30.380117+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The book emphasizes the need for a new perspective on the unsustainable exploitation of resources, which threatens future generations’ well-being. It stresses the importance of questioning old ways of thinking and putting more emphasis on being aware of the environment. The book highlights what the author calls “the tragic story of human success,” a period of rapid population growth and technological innovation, which led to an overshoot of the planet’s carrying capacity. The myth of limitlessness, distorted by technological advancements and exploitation of new lands, has exacerbated the environmental crisis. The book also discusses the culture of abundance, which led to a belief in human exemption from natural constraints. The book calls for a shift in perspective, acknowledging the ecological reality of finite resources and adapting to them.
Abundance and liberty, once supported by ecological prerequisites, are under threat as living standards decline. The decline from what the author calls “the Age of Exuberance” has led to environmental changes and an overshoot crisis, causing declining living standards and political instability. Humans must acknowledge their role in altering their habitats and the interconnectedness of all life forms. The rapid growth and mechanization of agriculture have amplified this impact, suggesting a shift in perspective. Human advancements have increased our competitive edge over other species, but the assumption that technology and habitat creation could yield permanent increases in carrying capacity is flawed. The belief in endless resources and human dominance over nature has remained attached to the belief in limitlessness during the Age of Exuberance.
The text explores the ecological causes of unwelcome change. It also explores Malthus's 1798 Essay on the Principle of Population, the evolution of tool use, and the Industrial Revolution. Malthus suggested that populations grow exponentially, but subsistence increases linearly, leading to food shortages when the biotic potential surpasses their habitat’s carrying capacity. However, modern societies have relied on non-renewable resources and technological advancements to sustain growth, leading to diminishing returns and socio-environmental consequences. The Industrial Revolution began humanity's heavy reliance on nonrenewable resources, leading to an unsustainable carrying capacity expansion. The transition from circular to linear ecosystems with increased dependence on nonrenewable resources has intensified our ecological footprint and led to an unsustainable growth trajectory. The book also talks about how important it is to know the history of these problems and the effects of our actions and choices, not just the choices of one group.
"Underdeveloped" regions face significant constraints, influenced by climate and geography, which limit their ability to expand human ecological niches. Population pressure, mutual interference, and technological impacts can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Understanding these patterns is crucial for addressing our trajectory and mitigating the effects of collective overshoot. In 1977, then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter attempted a paradigm shift by advocating for conservation but failed to address ecological overshoot. To navigate the post-exuberant world, we must challenge outdated paradigms and embrace an environmental framework that recognizes our limits and fosters sustainable practices. As we look to the future, we have an important decision to make: we can choose to live in a way that's kinder to our environment, using resources wisely and within our limits. This method helps us protect the Earth. On the other hand, we can keep going with our usual habits, but the outcome might make our predicament even worse.

== Reception and legacy ==
In his review for the Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, Robert Wisniewski commended the book for its revolutionary ecological perspective on global issues. He highlighted Catton’s radical and humane examination of humanity’s predicament and warned of an inevitable population die-off. He noted that although the book is intellectually demanding and requires a shift in thinking, its insights are enriching for those willing to engage with its ecological approach.
In the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Anne Ehrlich called the book a “required reading for decision makers.”