How Should Planetary Resources Be Shared Between Countries?
The planetary boundaries framework defines a safe operating space for humanity, but it does not prescribe how resources should be shared among countries. The…
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Planetary Boundaries
Core framework outlining safe operating limits for Earth’s systems.
How Overshoot Differs From Planetary Boundary Transgression
Overshoot refers to a temporary exceedance of a planetary boundary with the potential to return to the safe operating space, whereas transgression denotes a…
What the Planetary Boundaries Framework Can—and Cannot—Tell Policymakers
The planetary boundaries framework defines a safe operating space for humanity by identifying nine Earth-system processes and proposing quantitative boundaries for each. It can…
Planetary Boundaries and the Precautionary Principle
The planetary boundaries framework defines a safe operating space for humanity by setting precautionary limits on nine Earth-system processes. It explicitly incorporates the precautionary…
Climate Overshoot Explained
Climate overshoot refers to a scenario where global average temperatures temporarily exceed a target level, such as 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, before…
What Is a Safe and Just Earth-System Boundary?
A safe and just Earth-system boundary defines the limits of human pressure on critical planetary processes, ensuring both a stable Earth system (safe) and…
What Is Aragonite Saturation State?
Aragonite saturation state is a measure of the thermodynamic tendency for the mineral aragonite to precipitate or dissolve in seawater. It is a key…
What Is Carbon Lock-In? A Comprehensive Explainer
Carbon lock-in is the self-reinforcing inertia of fossil fuel-based systems that makes shifting to low-carbon alternatives difficult. It arises from technological, institutional, and behavioral…
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs): Current Scenarios and Climate Projections
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) are greenhouse gas concentration trajectories used in climate modeling. The current set includes RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5, defined by…
What Is a Carbon Tax?
A carbon tax is a fee imposed on the carbon content of fossil fuels, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making polluting activities…