EARTHS OPERATING SYSTEMS ON LIFE SUPPORT.

Earth is far outside the safe operating zone for humanity and rapidly approaching a state of “red alert”, according to a new report on planetary health. Scientists have drawn on a wide array of peer-reviewed research to create the Planetary Health Check. They say it is a “first-of-its-kind” scientific report and tool for measuring the health of the Earth’s vital organs that serve as humanity’s life support system. Years of research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) have outlined nine processes that help to keep these life support systems stable including climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion and land system changes. These are known as the ‘Planetary Boundaries’. The thresholds beyond which these processes can no longer function properly have already been breached for six out of the nine boundaries. We’re close to breaching a seventh planetary boundary and may have already crossed it. Six of nine Planetary Boundaries are transgressed. Seven Planetary Boundary processes show a trend of increasing pressure so that we will soon see the majority of the Planetary Health Check parameters in the high-risk zone. The report finds that climate change, the introduction of novel entities (like synthetic chemicals or microplastics), changes in biosphere integrity (the integrity of all living organisms on Earth) and modification of biogeochemical flows (disruption of the natural nutrient cycles) are in high-risk zones. Planetary Boundaries have also been crossed for land system change and fresh water change but to a lesser extent. All of the breached boundaries appear to be getting worse according to the data. The seventh boundary at risk is ocean acidification. Levke Caesar, PIK scientist and one of the lead authors of the report, told a briefing outlining its findings that while the indicator for ocean acidification is currently still within the safe operating space, it is approaching the threshold for transgression. She added that while ocean acidification is getting worse worldwide, its effects are most pronounced in the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean. Stewardship of the planet is necessary in all sectors of the economy and in societies, for security, prosperity and equity. By quantifying the boundaries for a healthy planet, we provide policy, economics and business with the tools needed to steer away from unmanageable risks. Sadly politicians are more concerned about waging wars, elections, interparty power battles and short term personal benefits.