A team of scientists created the Planetary Boundaries Framework in 2009 for nine ecological areas which ensure the continuance of life on the planet. Since then this framework has been assessed from time to time and currently, six boundaries, climate change, biosphere integrity (genetic diversity and energy available to ecosystems), land system change, freshwater change (changes across the entire water cycle over land), biogeochemical flows (nutrient cycles), and novel entities (microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and organic pollutants) have been severely breached as shown in the graphic. Only stratospheric ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading and ocean acidification are within bounds as described in this article in Down To Earth https://www.downtoearth.org.in/.../six-of-9-planetary...
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The main problem at the base of all other problems is excessive fossil fuel energy use. This is what has created the present human over consumption and ecological crises. We need to both rein in energy use and also transition to renewable energy immediately if we are to avert climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, pollution and the like.
The linear resource extractive economy is causing this problem. A local circular economy needs to be prioritised and this will be possible only if all governments strictly apply the polluter pays principle to garner the resources for subsidising the mitigation measures.
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