Rising consumption of natural resources means that humans began “eating the planet” on 9 October 2006, a study suggests.

The date symbolised the day of the year when people’s demands exceeded the Earth’s ability to supply resources and absorb the demands placed upon it.

The figures’ authors said the world first “ecological debt day” fell on 19 December 1987, but economic growth had seen it fall earlier each year.

The data was produced by a US-based think-tank, Global Footprint Network.