Why is it in the news?

• According to a new study, the world has breached six of the nine planetary boundaries necessary to maintain Earth’s stability and resilience.

Planet Boundaries

• In 2009, 28 internationally renowned researchers identified and quantified a set of nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and feel good in the future.
  • If we cross these limits, abrupt or irreversible environmental changes can occur with serious consequences for humankind.
• The boundaries include climate change, biodiversity loss, ozone depletion, ocean acidification, nutrient cycles, land-system change, freshwater use, aerosol loading, and introduction of novel entities.

About the Study

• An update to the 2009 planetary boundaries framework.
• Researchers identified key Earth ecosystem processes for human well-being over the past 12,000 years.
• Assessed how human activities are altering these processes.
• Identifying the level at which human activities raise the risk of dramatic and irreversible environmental changes.

Findings of the Study

• Six of the nine boundaries breached.
• Breached boundaries include climate change, biodiversity loss, land system change, freshwater use, nutrient cycles, and introduction of novel entities.
• Atmospheric CO2 concentration exceeded the safe limit.
• Extinction rates are far higher than the safe limit.
• Human impacts on water resources surpassed safe boundaries.
• Phosphorus and nitrogen cycle limits exceeded.
• Introduction of new substances into the environment has transgressed the boundary.
• Stratospheric ozone depletion, aerosol loading, and ocean acidification are within safe limits but pose increasing risks.

Implications

• Breaching boundaries increases the risk of irreversible environmental changes.
• These changes could disrupt the Earth’s ecosystems and threaten human civilization.