Planetary boundaries
Big idea: There are nine Earth systems that keep the planet stable and safe for humans.
Each has a boundary — a safe limit. Cross it and we risk sudden, possibly irreversible damage.
Some of the nine boundaries
- Climate change
- Biodiversity (species) loss
- Nitrogen & phosphorus flows (from fertilisers)
- Ocean acidification
- Freshwater use
- Land-system change (e.g. deforestation)
Several boundaries have already been crossed — including climate change, biodiversity loss, and nitrogen/phosphorus flows.
Uses: shows there are limits to human impact; warns policymakers. Limitations: focuses on global limits (not local fairness); still a work in progress as data improves.
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