Planetary boundaries includes a series of measurable parameters and it ‘defines a safe operating space for humanity based on the intrinsic biophysical processes that regulate the stability of the Earth system’ (Rockström et al., 2009a, 2009b; Steffen and Stafford, 2013).
The concept is under debate in the academic sphere, and it includes elements related to human activity and its limits in relation to the global deterioration of the planet. Its goal is to ensure that human actions occur within certain safety thresholds to avoid abrupt changes that make earth uninhabitable.
Planetary boundaries are used to evaluate and measure the nine key processes that maintain the integrity of the planetary system. These are: climate change, loss of biosphere integrity; stratospheric ozone depletion; biogeochemical flows (interferences with nitrogen cycles [N] and phosphorous [P]); ocean acidification; freshwater use; land-system change; atmospheric aerosol loading; and the release of novel entities.
A safety limit is established for each one of these processes. The limit should not be exceeded to thus respect the resilience of the biosphere, its functions, and its biophysical processes.
The concept is under debate in the academic sphere, and it includes elements related to human activity and its limits in relation to the global deterioration of the planet. Its goal is to ensure that human actions occur within certain safety thresholds to avoid abrupt changes that make earth uninhabitable.
Planetary boundaries are used to evaluate and measure the nine key processes that maintain the integrity of the planetary system. These are: climate change, loss of biosphere integrity; stratospheric ozone depletion; biogeochemical flows (interferences with nitrogen cycles [N] and phosphorous [P]); ocean acidification; freshwater use; land-system change; atmospheric aerosol loading; and the release of novel entities.
A safety limit is established for each one of these processes. The limit should not be exceeded to thus respect the resilience of the biosphere, its functions, and its biophysical processes.
References:
YUS RAMOS, R. (2015), Los límites del planeta hoy día. Rev. El Observador, nº 27-I-2015, 7.
Rockström et al, Nature 461, 472-475; 2009; id, en prensa.
Encuesta y grupos focales consultados para la elaboración de este reflexionario.
Photo credit: Gus Andi