What are planetary boundaries, anyway? You have probably heard this term in the news, on political talk shows or at a climate demonstration. It describes the Earth's stress limits, the resilience of which is determined by nine different global processes.
We humans are through the massive consumption natural resources and a lifestyle that is harmful to society as a whole are largely responsible for the fact that our planet is more at risk than ever. We are therefore forced to find solutions for the biggest environmental problems of our time to find.
In this article, I want to tell you everything you need to know about the concept of planetary boundaries and show you which processes play an essential role in it. Let's go!
In advance you can find a short overview of the article here:
Definition: What are planetary boundaries?
The concept of Planetary Boundaries is used to identify nine key natural systems and processes, Statements about the earth's health and the livelihood of mankind to be able to meet.
It was launched in 2009 by around 30 international Scientists led by Johan Rockström from Stockholm Resilience Centre published in a specialist article.1
How is this different from climate tipping points and Earth overload day?
While the Planetary Boundaries represent a dependency concept for assessing Earth health, the Climate tipping points important elements of Earth system research that have an accelerating effect on global warming beyond a certain point.
The "Earth Overshoot Day. describes the day of the year on which humanity has consumed more renewable resources than the planet can reproduce in an entire year.
The global processes and their current state, of which the ecological carrying capacity of the planet were determined on the basis of scientific findings and by applying the precautionary principle.
What are the planetary boundaries and determining global processes?
Now you know that the scientific concept of planetary shows limits, how good or bad things are for our planet.
Notice: I will introduce you to the main causes of the problem and also show you what each of us can do about it in everyday life.
1. climate change
The rise in sea levels, prolonged periods of drought, or Extreme weather and natural disasters are increasing consequences of climate change. The anthropogenic Greenhouse effect and Tipping Points, such as the collapse of the Amazon rainforest or the destruction of coral reefs, are accelerating the environmental problem of the global warming.
- Causes: Among other things, the Deforestation of the rainforestshuman consumer behavior, the high energy consumption of buildings and countless flights are the main reasons for rapid climate change.
- Proposed solutions: The decisive measure is to consciously to live more climate friendly. For example, by replacing car journeys and air travel with public transport wherever possible or by preferring plant-based foods and avoiding animal products. (Cookbook tip: Vegan & Easy* by Bianca Zapatka)
2. new substances and modified life forms
Toxic substances such as Pesticides, heavy metals, radioactive materials or Nanoparticles are difficult to break down in nature. This is another reason why their introduction into the environment poses a major threat to humans, animals and the earth.
For example, new genetically modified life forms capable of, Ecosystems out of their natural balance to bring.
- Causes: There is a risk to the earth's health, for example, from landfills, repositories for radioactive waste, or the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Proposed solutions: Avoid waste in everyday life as much as possible, switch to green electricity and renewable energies to (Make a green electricity comparison here*) and prefer organic food from organic farming.
3. integrity of the biosphere
The integrity of the biosphere is also a critical process of planetary boundaries. Within habitats, countless species of animals and plants are interdependent. For example, if plant-pollinating insects die like the bee, many plant species and foods will no longer exist.
- Causes: The main reasons for insect mortality are the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, but also hostile and comfortable gravel gardens.
- Proposed solutions: A sensible measure is to contribute by changing one's own way of life so that the Species extinction is stopped. Among other things, this works by giving preference to foods from the organic farming. You can also use your Garden sustainable design and wild bees, beetles, butterflies and birds with native plants and nesting opportunities. For example, scatter these wildflower seeds from*.
Tip: What else you can do in everyday life do against insect mortality I will be happy to explain how you can do this in the linked blog post.
4. ozone loss from the stratosphere
In the stratosphere there is Ozonethat blocks parts of the UV rays from sunlight. But some gases from industry can block the Damage ozone layerso that unusually large amounts of ultraviolet radiation reach the earth.
- Causes: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as well as polar stratospheric clouds contribute to reducing the protective effect of ozone.
- Proposed solutions: The emission of ozone-depleting substances must be banned in order to preserve this global process in the safe operating space. Anyone who still owns old refrigerators with CFCs should urgently replace them.
5. aerosol content of the atmosphere
The aerosols, tiny particles in the air such as. Fine dust, influence the climate system, the weather and also our health. Altered cloud formation or respiratory diseases are common consequences.
- Causes: The air pollution of the atmosphere is mainly a result of exhaust gases from factories, airplanes, ships or cars.
- Proposed solutions: You too can use the Minimize air pollution. For example, by producing less waste, being less minimalistic and consume more sustainably and take the train more often instead of flying. (Book Tip: All you need is less* by Niko Paech)
6. land use change
The forest is able to cool the earth and bind CO2 emitted by humans. The enormous land consumption for meat and others, animal food however, leads to forests having to give way.
The safe The scope of action of this process has already been clearly exceededso that there is an increased risk of serious consequences.
- Causes: The threatening land use change is a major consequence of the cultivation of animal feed and the creation of grazing areas for the Factory farming.
- Proposed solutions: The vegan lifestyle without animal exploitation - and instead with the direct consumption of the cultivated plants - contributes significantly to solving this problem. (Book Tip: Vegan diet for beginners* by Niko Rittenau and Sebastian Copien)
7. biogeochemical cycles
Johan Rockström and his team see another process of planetary boundaries in the change of biogeochemical cycles. Nitrogen and phosphorus are found naturally in the soil. However, the introduction of chemical fertilizers increases the existing quantities exorbitantly.
Surpluses are washed by the rain into surrounding lakes (eutrophication), in which algae growth increases alarmingly as a result and threatens entire ecosystems.
- Causes: Mainly due to the overfertilization in agriculture (e.g. with Liquid manure) leads to the enrichment of nutrients in originally nutrient-poor ecosystems.
- Proposed solutions: The preference for organic plant-based products from organic farming is a valuable approach.
8. acidification of the oceans
Among them is the Decrease in the pH value of the seawater to understand. Calcite and aragonite react in seawater with the carbon dioxide bound in the sea. The resulting carbonic acid subsequently attacks mussels, for example, and can cause the Coral mortality Accelerate.
- Causes: As soon as the CO2 pressure in the atmosphere is higher than the Ocean is carbon dioxide in the surface water of the Ocean solved. Human greenhouse gas emissions contribute significantly to.
- Proposed solutions: You can support us by Ecological sunscreen (is available here*), your personal one, reduce your ecological footprint and live in a more climate-friendly way. (Book Tips: Cooking for the climate* from me and End of the world canceled* by Jan Hegenberg)
Tip: What you specifically can do against coral mortalityI have collected together in a separate article on the blog. If you like, feel free to take a look!
9. fresh water use
Water is not only consumed directly in the household, but also indirectly, for example for food and clothing. This so-called Virtual water consumption arises, for example, from the irrigation of tomato or cotton fields and Threatens the limited freshwater resources in ponds, rivers and lakes.
- Causes: A simple example helps to illustrate the problem. To produce one kilogram of meat, more than 15,000 liters of water are required (e.g. for growing animal feed, cleaning stables, etc.).2 Even if it is not visible to consumers, this indirect water consumption plays an important role in the Earth's carrying capacity.
- Proposed solutions: Follow a plant-based diet as much as possible and Consciously save water in the household. You can choose your personal Water footprint by sourcing your food regionally and seasonally. For example, you can follow this seasonal calendar*.
What is the state of the Planetary Boundaries?
Here at the top of the graph you can already see a time course of the respective Conditions and threats of the global processes of planetary boundaries just described.
In 2009, 7 limits were assessed, 3 of which had already been exceeded - in 2015, 4 limits had already been exceeded. For 2023, the Stockholm Resilience Centre a total of 9 borders, of which already exceeded 6 today were.
Room for maneuver are now only found in ozone loss in the stratosphere, the aerosol content of the atmosphere and ocean acidification. These areas are still considered safe or healthy. (see green area in the center)
The orange areas The impacts of climate change on the outside world pose an increased risk of consequences for the environment that are difficult to assess. This currently applies to freshwater use and land use change.
The red area applies to global processes that are in the high-risk zone in relation to the Earth's stress limits. The latter include climate change, new substances and modified life forms, the integrity of the biosphere and biogeochemical cycles.
Course said: Our habitat, the earth, is not doing well.
Know planetary boundaries and act!
Our current way of life exploits the planet's resources and destroys natural ecosystems. But the Earth is not infinitely resilient.
The Planetary Boundaries concept combines the Interactions of the global processes and gives Revealing the state of health of our earth - and us humans a framework to keep our environment intact.
It also provides valuable insights that motivate us to adjust our personal behavior so that we can become part of the problem solution itself can.
You can find out how this can work in practice in my book Sustainable living for beginners*. And the economist Wolfram Stierle shows you even more about the ecological limits of the planet in his book "On living within planetary boundaries: a plea for a sustainable development policy" (is available here*), which I can also highly recommend.
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
Robert Swan (more at Environmental protection quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or further valuable information about Planetary Boundaries? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay sustainable and environmentally conscious,
PS: In my Knowledge blog I present you many more Technical terms from the fields of environmental protection and sustainability in front of you. Learn now, for example, what is meant by the word Littering understands. Have fun!
References:
- BMUV: Planetary carrying capacity limits (as of 06.03.2024), available at https://www.bmuv.de/themen/nachhaltigkeit-digitalisierung/nachhaltigkeit/integriertes-umweltprogramm-2030/planetare-belastbarkeitsgrenzen. [21.02.2025]. ↩︎
- Federal Environment Agency (2017): Hidden water (as of 22.03.2017), available at https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/verstecktes-wasser. [21.02.2025]. ↩︎
