Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries

Abstract

This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity. Ocean acidification is close to being breached, while aerosol loading regionally exceeds the boundary. Stratospheric ozone levels have slightly recovered. The transgression level has increased for all boundaries earlier identified as overstepped. As primary production drives Earth system biosphere functions, human appropriation of net primary production is proposed as a control variable for functional biosphere integrity. This boundary is also transgressed. Earth system modeling of different levels of the transgression of the climate and land system change boundaries illustrates that these anthropogenic impacts on Earth system must be considered in a systemic context.

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Affiliated Institutions

• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel DE
• University of Potsdam DE
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin DE
• University of Saskatchewan CA
• Leibniz Association DE
• Bolin Centre for Climate Research SE
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research DE
• Aalto University FI
• Australian National University AU
• Indian Institute of Science Bangalore IN
• University of Copenhagen DK
• Stockholm University SE
• Stockholm Resilience Centre SE
• University of Victoria CA
• Global Institute for Water Security CA

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