What are planetary boundaries, anyway? You've probably heard this term in the news, on political talk shows, or at one of the many climate rallies. It describes the limits of the Earth's resilience, which is determined by nine different global processes.
We humans are through the massive consumption natural resources and a way of life that is harmful to the environment as a whole are largely responsible for the fact that our planet is in greater danger than ever before. For this reason, too, we are forced to find solutions as quickly as possible for the biggest environmental problems of our time find
In this article I would like to tell you everything you need to know about the concept of planetary boundaries and show you which processes play an essential role. Let's go!
In advance you can find a short overview of the article here:
The 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 of the Stockholm Resilience Centre published in a technical article.₁
The global processes and their current state, of which the ecological carrying capacity of the planet was determined on the basis of scientific findings and by applying the precautionary principle.
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 in a year when humanity has consumed more renewable resources than the planet can reproduce in the entire year.
What are the planetary boundaries and determining global processes?
Now you know that the scientific concept of planetary shows limits, how well or badly our earth is doing. Now I would like to explain to you exactly which earth-systematic processes are involved.
Notice: In each case, I also introduce you to the main causes of the problem and the things each of us can do about it in our everyday lives.
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 rainforests, human consumer behavior, the high energy consumption of buildings and countless air travels as major reasons for the rapid climate changes.
- Proposed solutions: The decisive measure is to consciously to live more climate friendly. For example, by replacing car trips and air travel with the use of public transportation whenever possible.
2. New substances and modified life formen
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 can have severe consequences for 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 prefer organic food from organic farming.
3. Intactness 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: A major reason for insect mortality is the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture.
- 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.
Tip: What else you can do in everyday life do against insect mortality I'll be happy to explain how you can do this in the detailed, linked blog post.
4. Stratospheric ozone loss
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 but also polar stratospheric clouds contribute to the reduction of the protective effect of ozone.
- Proposed solutions: Emissions of ozone-depleting substances must be banned to keep this global process in safe action space.
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, consuming fewer useless things and taking the train more often instead of flying.
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 direct consumption of the crops grown - contributes significantly to solving this problem.
7. Biogeochemical cycles
Seeing another Planetary Boundaries process Johan Rockström and his team in changing biogeochemical cycles. Nitrogen and phosphorus are found naturally in the soil. Through the Application of chemical fertilizers however, the existing quantities are increasing 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 are a major contributor.₂
- Proposed solutions: You can support by sending your personal, reduce your ecological footprint and live in a more climate-friendly way.
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 animal feed cultivation, barn cleaning, etc.).₃ Even if you don't see it as a consumer, this indirect water consumption plays an important role in the Earth's stress limits.
- Proposed solutions: Follow a plant-based diet as much as possible and Consciously save water in the household.
What is the state of the Planetary Boundaries?
Here above in the graphic you can already see the respective Conditions and threats of the global processes of planetary boundaries just described.
Processes, which here are exclusively in the green (range recommended by Rockström and colleagues) are (still) considered safe or healthy. This is currently the case for freshwater use, ocean acidification, and stratospheric ozone loss.
Climate change, as well as land use changes, are currently already in in the yellow range, which describes processes that pose an increased risk and whose consequences for the environment are difficult to assess.
The biogeochemical cycles, as well as the genetic diversity (as part of the process of the biosphere's integrity) are located in the red rangewhich applies to global processes that are in the high-risk zone in relation to the Earth's stress limits. This means that a threatening number of animal and plant species are currently becoming extinct - also as a result of the Incorporation of chemical fertilizers.
We should not disregard the gray areawhich describes the processes whose load limit is not yet even known and defined. This is the case with the aerosol content of the atmosphere, the introduction of new substances and modified life forms, as well as functional diversity (also as part of the intactness of the biosphere).
Know planetary boundaries and act!
Our current way of life is depleting the planet's resources and destroying 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.
"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:
₁ BMUV (2021): Planetary carrying capacity limits, available at https://www.bmuv.de/themen/nachhaltigkeit-digitalisierung/nachhaltigkeit/integriertes-umweltprogramm-2030/planetare-belastbarkeitsgrenzen. [22.09.2023].
₂ Climate Service Center: Ocean Acidification, available at https://wiki.bildungsserver.de/klimawandel/index.php/Ozeanversauerung. [22.09.2023].
₃ Federal Environment Agency (2017): Hidden water (as of 22.03.2017), available at https://t1p.de/ddfg. [22.09.2023].
