The concept of planetary boundaries was developed by an international team of scientists led by Johan Rockström* and Will Steffen**, among others. These scientists conducted extensive research to identify and define the critical environmental thresholds beyond which Earth's systems could be pushed into a state of instability or irreversible change.
The Nine Planetary Boundaries***, established by scientific consensus, represent vital Earth system processes crucial for a stable environment. They guide policymakers, businesses, and society toward sustainable practices, ensuring safe operating limits to prevent environmental catastrophes and foster human development.
The boundaries set cover 9 environmental issues: Climate Change, Biosphere Integrity, Land-System Change, Freshwater Use, Biogeochemical Flows, Ocean Acidification, Atmospheric Aerosol Pollution, Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and Release of Novel Chemicals.
Each boundary is accompanied by specific scientific indicators and thresholds to help monitor and assess human impacts on Earth's systems.
Of these 9 boundaries 6 have already been crossed and the effects that crossing one boundary has on the others has yet to be determined.
Credits to:
* Johan Rockström is Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Professor at the Institute of Earth and Environmental Science at Potsdam University, and Professor in Water Systems and Global Sustainability at Stockholm University.
** Executive Director of the Climate Change Institute at The Australian National University, Canberra and Climate Commissioner
