WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? THE LIMITS OF THE PLANET
The “Limits of the Planet” study was first conducted in 2009 by an international group of researchers. This study has recently been updated. It was prepared based on the results of 2000 studies. We can look at this study as a scientific health screening for the whole planet.
Nine processes of vital importance for the Earth system were identified. Three of them are related to what we take from the system:
- Biodiversity loss
- Fresh water
- Land use
The remaining six processes are related to the waste we put into the environment:
- Greenhouse gases (causing climate change and ocean acidification)
- Ozone depleting chemicals
- Chemicals (plastics, concrete, synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms owe their existence to us)
- Aerosols
- Nutrient loadings (reactive nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilisers)
If we can keep our activities at a safe level, the planet’s own processes can carry them. If we give the planet the opportunity to regenerate, we can stay in the safe zone.
But we’ve exceeded six of those nine vital support systems. So we’re beyond the safe zone. We’re in the danger zone, unfortunately. All other species are now at risk, along with us.
These limits are not the point of no return, but an alarm signal about the human impact on the environment.
Of course, exceeding six of the nine limits does not mean that a catastrophe is imminent. But it is a warning sign. A distress call! Like your blood pressure. A high blood pressure does not mean that you will have a heart attack. But it is a reminder that the risk is very high and you need to lower it.
I have tried to summarise what these processes mean on the image of the Limits of the Planet.
The situation is serious!
We have not reached the point of no return yet. There is something to be done! We have to take it seriously.
Source:
Richardson, J., Steffen W., Lucht, W., Bendtsen, J., Cornell, S.E., et.al. 2023. Earth beyond six of nine Planetary Boundaries. Science Advances, 9, 37.