Earth has breached seven of nine planetary boundaries essential for its life-support systems, a report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research reveals. Ocean acidification, especially in high-latitude regions, is nearing a critical threshold, and other key boundaries, including climate change and biosphere integrity, are in high-risk zones. The report stresses the need for reevaluation and annual planetary health checks to address interconnected environmental threats.
Scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) report that Earth has breached seven of nine planetary boundaries critical to maintaining its life-support systems.
The latest report highlights a worrying trend, particularly noting that ocean acidification is nearing a critical threshold, especially in high-latitude regions.
Key boundaries in climate change, novel entities, biosphere integrity, and biogeochemical flows are now in high-risk zones, while land system change and freshwater change also face transgression.
Areas like stratospheric ozone depletion have remained stable.
Levke Caesar, a climate physicist and co-author of the report, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the interconnectedness of these boundaries and the need for reevaluation.
The report, founded on years of research by Johan Rockstrom and others, stems from the recognition of risks to the planet's stability and human civilization.
PIK plans to issue annual planetary health checks to track and mitigate these environmental risks.