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The economics–ecology nexus
Published in Peter N. Nemetz, Unsustainable World, 2022
A major issue is the concept of planetary boundaries; planetary boundaries are limits beyond which the planet risks serious if not catastrophic consequences. A study undertaken in 2009 (Rockstrom et al. 2009) identified and attempted to quantify nine such planetary boundaries. The authors admitted the existence of a large degree of uncertainty in this initial research effort but were, nevertheless, able to draw a number of important conclusions. First, they estimated that three planetary boundaries had already been crossed (climate change measured as atmospheric CO2 concentrations; the rate of biodiversity loss measured as the extinction rate per year; and the nitrogen cycle measured as the amount of N2 removed from the atmosphere for human use). In addition, it is estimated that our planet may be approaching boundaries for four other categories: global freshwater use, change in land use, ocean acidification, and interference with the global phosphorous cycle. Subsequent research (Steffen et al. 2015, 2018) concluded that the earth has already crossed four boundaries: climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, land-system change, and altered biogeochemical cycles (phosphorus and nitrogen).
Theoretical perspectives or “behind the scenes” of economics and science
Published in Sigrun M. Wagner, Business and Environmental Sustainability, 2020
As the concept of carrying capacity is closely linked to limits, Rockström and colleagues (2009a, 2009b) explored and attempted to quantify planetary boundaries, which, if crossed, would constitute a tipping point. In drawing on different branches of academia (ecological economics, earth system science as well as work on resilience) and studies on limits (Meadows et al. 1972, 2004), they identify nine planetary boundaries, of which three have already been exceeded (climate change, rate of biodiversity loss and human interference with the nitrogen cycle) and the others are (still) within a safe operating space (ocean acidification, stratospheric ozone depletion, phosphorous cycle – overlap with nitrogen cycle, global freshwater use, change in land use, atmospheric aerosol loading and chemical pollution) (Rockström et al. 2009a, 2009b). Kate Raworth (2017) also uses planetary boundaries in her work on doughnut economics, which is a criticism of mainstream economics and a sustainable alternative comprising social and environmental aspects, where the doughnut’s outer boundaries represent the ecological ceiling and the inner ring represents the social foundation providing life’s basics for people.
Dangers and Risks in the Sparks
Published in Yongyuth Yuthavong, Sparks from the Spirit, 2018
Human beings have changed the environment to a far greater extent than any other living species. There is increasing concern that we may change it so much as to exceed the finite planetary boundaries with regard to pollution, climate change, water use, extraction and use of fossil fuels, and destruction of biodiversity and other areas (see Chapter 2, Section 2.6). It is clear that we cannot go on in the business-as-usual manner, and environmental ethics needs to be taken into account in order to build a sustainable world. Environmental ethics is concerned with the rights and wrongs of things that affect not only humans but also the environment as a whole, of which humans form a part. We have a moral obligation to conserve the environment and ensure its sustainability. This obligation is not only confined to the immediate environment around us but also extends across national boundaries to cover the whole planet, and indeed the space beyond. Moreover, as it is generally agreed that we are now in a new geologic epoch, called the Anthropocene epoch, in which human activities have a great impact on the planet, we should be concerned not only with the present but also with the future of the environment with increasing human influence.
Measuring just accessibility within planetary boundaries
Published in Transport Reviews, 2023
Elias Willberg, Henrikki Tenkanen, Harvey J. Miller, Rafael H. M. Pereira, Tuuli Toivonen
The planetary boundaries comprise nine ecological dimensions that define the safe operating space for humanity and demarcate the current stable state of Earth. For each dimension, the boundary represents an estimation of a safe limit of environmental degradation, the crossing of which could push the planet towards unsustainable paths. The planetary boundaries as defined by Steffen et al. (2015) are: climate change, biosphere integrity (genetic diversity and functional diversity measured as biodiversity loss), land-system change, freshwater use, biochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus loading), ocean acidification, atmospheric aerosol loading, stratospheric ozone depletion, and novel entities (e.g. new substances or modified life forms causing unwanted geophysical or biological consequences). The boundaries are separated into two tiers, recognising that climate change and biodiversity loss constitute the first tier of core boundaries due to their fundamental importance to all other earth systems (Steffen et al., 2015). The fundamental risk in exceeding the boundaries lies in the destabilisation of Earth’s systems, which may abruptly shift into a new state with devastating impacts for humanity, which depends on natural resources and ecosystem services. Worryingly, Steffen et al. concluded (2015) that in five of the nine dimensions (biodiversity loss, climate change, land system change, and nitrogen and phosphorus loading) the safe boundary for the planet has already been exceeded.
A Social Sciences and Humanities research agenda for transport and mobility in Europe: key themes and 100 research questions
Published in Transport Reviews, 2023
Marianne Ryghaug, Ivana Subotički, Emilia Smeds, Timo von Wirth, Aline Scherrer, Chris Foulds, Rosie Robison, Luca Bertolini, Eda Beyazit İnce, Ralf Brand, Galit Cohen-Blankshtain, Marc Dijk, Marlene Freudendal Pedersen, Stephan Gössling, Robert Guzik, Paula Kivimaa, Christian Klöckner, Hristina Lazarova Nikolova, Aleksandra Lis, Oriol Marquet, Dimitris Milakis, Milos Mladenović, Gijs Mom, Caroline Mullen, Nathalie Ortar, Pucci Paola, Catarina Sales Oliveira, Tim Schwanen, Tauri Tuvikene, Alexander Wentland
Transport and mobility lie at the heart of contemporary society and global challenges. It provides access to many of the key functions of everyday life such as employment and education and generates social and environmental benefits (Holden et al., 2020; Freudendal-Pedersen, 2016; Urry, 2016). However, whilst the acceleration in the volume of mobility during the twentieth century was closely entwined with the rise of car-based mobility to global scale dominance (Urry, 2004), this has also contributed to exceeding planetary boundaries, particularly relating to: climate change and biodiversity loss (Rockstrom et al., 2009); air pollution, noise, congestion, traffic fatalities, and public health costs (Sovacool et al., 2021); and the weakening of social cohesion and space for public life (Adams, 2001; Sheller & Urry, 2000).
Impacts of sustainability and resilience research on risk governance, management and education
Published in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, 2021
Linda Nielsen, Michael H. Faber
In the original formulation, the planetary boundaries concept is advocated as a framework for estimating a safe operating space for humanity with respect to the functioning of the Earth system (Rockström et al., 2009). The authors identify key Earth system processes and attempt to quantify for each process the boundary level that should not be exceeded if unacceptable global environmental change is to be avoided. Unacceptable change is defined in relation to the risk and uncertainty humanity faces in the transition of the planet from the Holocene to the Anthropocene. Drawing on research from the discipline of ecology (Carpenter et al., 2001; Folke et al., 2004; Hughes et al., 2007; Scheffer, 2009), they present evidence from local to regional scale ecosystems that incremental changes in key control variables such as biodiversity, harvesting, soil quality, freshwater flows, and nutrient cycles, can trigger abrupt system change states once a certain threshold is exceeded. Nine planetary boundaries are identified: climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading, ocean acidification, biochemical flows, freshwater use, land-system change, biosphere integrity (functional and generic diversity), and novel entities. In the updated concept outline, Steffen et al. (2015) elaborate on the scientific underpinnings of the PB framework and present the status of the control variables for seven of the planetary boundaries. The authors further claim that climate change and biosphere integrity are the ‘core’ planetary boundaries based on their fundamental importance to the Earth system.