Planetary Boundaries News

All life on Earth, and human civilizations, are sustained by vital biogeochemical systems, which are in delicate balance. However, our species — due largely to rapid population growth and explosive consumption — is destabilizing these Earth processes, endangering the stability of the “safe operating space for humanity.” As noted by the main feature in this special Mongabay series, scientists have defined nine planetary boundaries: climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol pollution, freshwater use, biogeochemical flows of nitrogen and phosphorus, land-system change, and the release of novel chemicals.

Researchers make the case for shift from economic growth to human well-being within planetary limits

Scientists are tracking global wildlife’s contributions to humanity

World’s record heat is worsening air pollution and health in Global South

Electrochemical removal of ocean CO2 offers potential — and concerns

South Korea slashes forest biomass energy subsidies in major policy reform

Next-gen geothermal offers circular promise, but needs care and caution

Renewables won’t save us from climate catastrophe, experts warn; what will?

Direct air capture climate solution faces harsh criticism, steep challenges

Indonesian forests put at risk by South Korean and Japanese biomass subsidies

Deadlocked plastic treaty talks will lead to renewed negotiations in 2025

Coca-Cola cuts back on reusable plastic pledge

Storing CO2 in rock: Carbon mineralization holds climate promise but needs scale-up

Land use change impacting seven planetary boundaries, solutions urgent, say scientists

No deal to curb plastic production as latest negotiations fizzle

Plastic pollution pushing Earth past all nine planetary boundaries: Report

Biden administration doesn’t support a cap on plastic production

Cities are climate solution leaders: Interview with Vancouver’s Gregor Robertson

Philippine plastic law shows promise, says report, but critics stress flaws

Microplastics are sickening and killing wildlife, disrupting Earth systems

The plastics crisis is now a global human health crisis, experts say

As global fire risk rises, modern homes become toxic plastic traps

Shipping emissions reduction sheds light on marine cloud geoengineering

U.S. policy experts confident of future climate action despite Trump election

Atmospheric methane removal: A promising but challenging climate solution

U.S. toughens stance on plastics production in run-up to key treaty summit

Calls for caution as enhanced rock weathering shows carbon capture promise

Action against forest biomass subsidies gains momentum at COP16

Global biodiversity financiers strategize at COP16 to end ‘perverse subsidies’

Delay of EU Deforestation Regulation may ‘be excuse to gut law,’ activists fear

As 25 Earth vital signs worsen, scientists warn of ‘irreversible climate disaster’

Combined effects of human activities increase risk to ecosystem services

Controversial US marine geoengineering test delayed until next year

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