From biophysical indicators to “safe and just” pathways
In 2009, Swedish scientist Johan Rockström introduced the concept of Planetary Boundaries, which defines a “safe operating space” for humanity and Earth’s ecosystems. These boundaries represent limits where human activity can thrive without causing irreversible environmental harm. Rockström identified nine Planetary Boundaries, all rooted in biophysical indicators. But can these boundaries also be “just”?
This is the core question of a report from the Earth Commission published in The Lancet. The report seeks to recalibrate the concept of Planetary Boundaries to encompass both environmental safety and social justice, meaning minimum access to resources that uphold human dignity and help lift people out of poverty.
Radical transformations to respect the new Planetary Boundaries
The extensive study on Planetary Boundaries draws clear conclusions:
- To maintain “safe and just” pathways within these boundaries, “radical social transformations and technological changes” are necessary.
- A global redistribution of access to critical planetary resources is also essential, along with a shared responsibility to prevent destabilizing the Earth’s systems.
- These transformations are “urgent”: without drastic changes, by 2050, the climate and Earth’s balances will deteriorate to such an extent that “safe and just” spaces for humanity will no longer be available.
What will it take to bring about such radical change in how we live with the Planet? The study outlines key recommendations for steering a just and safe transition. The three main points are:
- Coordinated international efforts across politics, economics, civil society, and local communities to innovate ways to tackle inequality and reduce pressure on nature and the climate.
- Addressing overconsumption: a portion of humanity uses far too many resources, depriving others. Without curbing this excessive consumption, equitable resource distribution is impossible.
- Investing in sustainable technologies that help reduce resource use and thus expand the “safe and just” pathways identified by the report.
The state of the Earth’s health: Planetary Boundaries breached
The study also takes stock of Earth’s current health. Seven out of the eight reformulated “safe and just” Planetary Boundaries have already been breached:
- Functional integrity,
- Natural ecosystem area,
- Climate,
- Phosphorus,
- Nitrogen,
- Surface and groundwater,
- Aerosols.
The eighth, air pollution, has been surpassed on a local level in many parts of the world.