Planetary Boundaries

Planetary Boundaries is a framework developed by a group of scientists, led by Johan Rockström, which identifies nine critical Earth system processes that have defined limits or boundaries. These boundaries are intended to delineate a “safe operating space” for humanity, ensuring that human activities do not destabilize the Earth’s natural systems. The concept was introduced in 2009 and has since been widely recognized and adopted in scientific, policy, and practice communities.

The nine planetary boundaries are:

1. Climate Change: Concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.
2. Biodiversity Loss: Rate of species extinction.
3. Biogeochemical Flows: Global nitrogen and phosphorus cycles.
4. Ocean Acidification: Acidification of oceans due to increased CO₂ levels.
5. Land-System Change: Conversion of natural landscapes to urban or agricultural use.
6. Freshwater Use: Consumption and distribution of freshwater resources.
7. Atmospheric Aerosol Loading: Particulate pollution in the atmosphere.
8. Introduction of Novel Entities: Emission of new substances such as plastics, chemicals, and other pollutants.
9. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: Reduction of the ozone layer.

This framework emphasizes that crossing these boundaries could lead to significant and potentially irreversible environmental changes, threatening the stability and resilience of the Earth system. As of recent assessments, several boundaries, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and biogeochemical flows, have already been crossed, underscoring the urgency for global efforts to mitigate environmental impacts.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_boundaries

Photo: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetare_Grenzen#/media/Datei:PBs2023-de.svg