Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries
Learn about our Safe and Just Boundaries and Earth System Justice research.
No safe planet without justice | No justice without a safe planet
The Earth Commission’s first study quantifying Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries, published in Nature, shows that most of the boundaries, on a global and local scale, are already transgressed. This means that unless a timely transformation occurs, it is most likely that irreversible tipping points and widespread impacts on human well being will be unavoidable.
The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated action across all Earth’s vital systems, the injustice inherent in current world targets, and the need for just transformations.
Path to prosperity for planet & people if Earth’s critical resources better shared
The Earth Commission’s second flagship study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, quantifies the ‘Safe and Just Space.’
This is the first time scientists have quantified safety (a stable planet) and justice (people being protected from harm and ensured a life free from poverty) in the same units – demonstrating that justice is a prerequisite for the safety of both the planet and its people.
This novel Safe and Just research shows that, through just transformation, it is possible for all humans to escape poverty and be safe from harm caused by Earth system change.
The only way to provide for everyone and ensure societies, businesses and economies thrive without destabilizing the planet is to reduce inequalities in how critical Earth system resources, such as freshwater and nutrients, are accessed and used – alongside economic and technological transformation.
The time left to act is extremely limited. The challenge now lies in the speed and scale of transformation. We must shift from an incremental approach to transformational, systemic change that is fair for all.
A new chapter in sustainability thinking
The Safe and Just Space provides a scientific underpinning for safeguarding the global commons for all people now and into the future.
It gives businesses, governments and civil society the best scientific research on what it means to live within the boundaries of the planet. The Safe and Just space puts human needs at the center, quantifying the conditions needed to achieve an equitable and just transition.
In the short term, actions that would move us toward the Safe and Just space provide businesses with a chance to stay ahead of regulatory scrutiny, and meet the expectations of an increasingly conscious consumer and stakeholder base. In the long-term, they will enable them, and others, to protect the communities, economies and natural resources upon which their operations depend.
The Science-based Targets for Nature, which build on existing science-based targets for climate, enabling companies to take holistic action on climate and nature in the face of mounting environmental and social crises, are aligned with the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries science.
“Prof. Joyeeta Gupta, Former Co-Chair of the Earth Commission, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of AmsterdamWe’re beginning to realize the damage that inequality is doing to the Earth. Increasing pollution and poor management of natural resources is causing significant harm to people and nature.
The longer we continue to widen the gap between those who have too much and those who don’t have enough, the more extreme the consequences for all, as the support systems which underpin our way of life, our markets and our economies begin to collapse.
“Prof. Johan Rockström, Earth Commission Co-Chair, lead author and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchFor the first time, scientists have quantified safety and justice using the same units in order to determine the path forward to a stable and resilient future in which we can all thrive.
This paper shows that justice is a prerequisite for the safety of the planet and people. It looks at the risk for further decline of the Earth system, the harm communities are experiencing as a result, but also seeks to identify how resources need to be fairly distributed. Communities, poor and rich, across the world are already vulnerable and will become more exposed – but we have a window to act now and change course.
Resources
Download detailed explainers briefs on each of the Earth System Boundaries and the Justice framework. View all here.
Graphics
All the graphics, videos and animations related to the boundaries can be used by anyone as long as credit is given to The Earth Commission and Global Commons Alliance.
NATURE: FULL TEXT
The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are inseparably linked, yet their interdependencies are generally under-recognized; consequently, they are often treated independently.
THE LANCET: FULL TEXT
It remains possible for all humans to escape poverty and be safe from harm caused by Earth system change – if Earth’s critical resources are better shared
State of the Earth
An article about the Safe and Just Boundaries in the Financial Times included this helpful summary of the scientific data.