A safe operating space for humanity

This influential scientific article introduces the planetary boundaries framework, identifying nine interconnected Earth system processes that regulate environmental stability and support human development. The authors propose that defining limits for human interference with these processes could help prevent large-scale, potentially irreversible environmental change.

The framework examines climate change, biodiversity loss, disruption of nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean acidification, freshwater use, land-system change, atmospheric aerosol loading and chemical pollution. The researchers propose quantitative boundaries for seven processes, while recognising uncertainties in establishing safe thresholds.

The article argues that exceeding these boundaries could undermine the resilience of Earth's natural systems and threaten the environmental conditions upon which human societies depend. It establishes a foundation for understanding planetary limits and informing approaches to sustainable development, environmental governance and the management of human impacts on the planet.

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Citation: Rockström J, Steffen W, Noone K, Persson Å, Chapin FS III, Lambin EF, et al. A safe operating space for humanity. Nature. 2009;461:472–475. https://doi.org/10.1038/461472a