Safe and just Earth system boundaries
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Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nature
Abstract
The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are inseparably
linked1–3
, yet their interdependencies are generally under-recognized; consequently,
they are often treated independently4,5
. 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 signifcant harm to humans from Earth system
change (a necessary but not sufcient condition for justice)4
. The stricter of the safe
or just boundaries sets the integrated safe and just ESB. Our fndings show that justice
considerations constrain the integrated ESBs more than safety considerations for
climate and atmospheric aerosol loading. Seven of eight globally quantifed 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.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
stability, resilienc, Earth system, water and nutrient cycles