Safe and just Earth system boundaries
Безопасные и справедливые границы земной системы
2023-05-31
SCID: 54.1/25us6a96
Discuss with AI
Earth system boundariesEarth system resilienceclimate and aerosol loadingglobal commonssafe and just boundaries
Figures from the paper
Abstract (AI)
Abstract The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are inseparably linked 1–3 , yet their interdependencies are generally under-recognized; consequently, they are often treated independently 4,5 . Here, we use modelling and literature assessment to quantify safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for climate, the biosphere, water and nutrient cycles, and aerosols at global and subglobal scales. We propose ESBs for maintaining the resilience and stability of the Earth system (safe ESBs) and minimizing exposure to significant harm to humans from Earth system change (a necessary but not sufficient condition for justice) 4 . The stricter of the safe or just boundaries sets the integrated safe and just ESB. Our findings show that justice considerations constrain the integrated ESBs more than safety considerations for climate and atmospheric aerosol loading. Seven of eight globally quantified safe and just ESBs and at least two regional safe and just ESBs in over half of global land area are already exceeded. We propose that our assessment provides a quantitative foundation for safeguarding the global commons for all people now and into the future.
Key Findings
1
Justice considerations constrain integrated boundaries more than safety considerations for climate and atmospheric aerosol loading.
2
Safe boundaries maintain Earth system resilience and stability, whereas just boundaries minimize human exposure to significant harm from Earth system change.
3
Seven of eight globally quantified safe and just boundaries, plus at least two regional boundaries across more than half of global land area, are already exceeded.
4
The integrated safe and just boundary is determined by whichever is stricter: the safe boundary or the justice-based boundary.
5
The study quantifies safe and just Earth system boundaries for climate, the biosphere, water and nutrient cycles, and aerosols at global and subglobal scales.
Research Object
Global and subglobal Earth system boundaries for climate, the biosphere, water and nutrient cycles, and aerosols
Research Subject
Quantification and integration of safe and just Earth system boundaries based on Earth system resilience, stability, and human exposure to significant harm
Publication Details
Publication Date
2023-05-31
Journal
Publisher
ISSN
Cited by
1371
Open access PDF
Access Type
Author Information
Download PDF
Subscribe to digest
References available in scid.ai7
Our future in the Anthropocene biosphere2021
The Boundaries of the Planetary Boundary Framework: A Critical Appraisal of Approaches to Define a “Safe Operating Space” for Humanity2020
Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan2020
Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity2018
Drinking Water Nitrate and Human Health: An Updated Review2018
Future air pollution in the Shared Socio-economic Pathways2016
The ecological limits of hydrologic alteration (ELOHA): a new framework for developing regional environmental flow standards2009