For the Earth to continue supporting even a minimal standard of living for everyone in the future, significant changes in economic systems and technologies are essential, along with a more equitable use, management, and sharing of crucial resources, as stated by an international research team involving scholars from The Australian National University (ANU).
A recent report featured in The Lancet Planetary Health highlights the vital role cities and businesses can play as “stewards” of critical Earth systems. By adopting strategies to lessen their environmental footprint, they can contribute to safeguarding the planet. This report is a summary of the initial phase of the Earth Commission, established in 2019 with a group of 18 prominent interdisciplinary scholars and more than 40 researchers participating in various working groups.
This report builds upon the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries report published in Nature last year, which indicated that many essential limits necessary for human and planetary well-being have already been exceeded.
Distinguished Professor Xuemei Bai from ANU, one of the three lead authors and head of the Translation working group, stated that companies and urban areas possess significant potential to initiate change and substantially lessen their environmental strain.
“Organizations and cities hold immense opportunities for impact, especially when they align towards a common goal of sustaining the planet for everyone in the long run,” she remarked.
“They are typically more agile than government bodies, which allows them to decrease their environmental impact by setting scientifically-informed targets based on our findings.”
Professor Stuart Bunn from Griffith University, who co-led a working group that focused on freshwater and nutrient pollution limits, echoed these sentiments.
The report indicates that the Earth’s capacity to sustain and protect is being pushed beyond its limits. Nevertheless, if immediate measures are taken, it might still be possible for humanity to overcome poverty and the detrimental effects of Earth system changes.
To support everyone while ensuring the prosperity of societies, businesses, and economies without jeopardizing the planet, the researchers emphasize the need to address disparities in access and consumption of critical Earth system resources, such as freshwater and nutrients. It is also essential to share responsibilities, like reducing carbon emissions, along with transforming economic and technological frameworks.
By 2050, without urgent transformations, the researchers warn that the Earth’s climate could degrade to a point where no “safe and just space” will remain.
This means that even if everyone had access to the resources necessary for a basic standard of living by 2050, the climate would still surpass its safe limits.
The researchers caution that Earth systems are at risk of hitting dangerous tipping points that could further impact global populations unless there are significant changes in energy, food, and urban systems.
The document provides a series of recommendations aimed at keeping Earth’s climate within this “safe and just space.”
• First, a synchronized and deliberate initiative among policymakers, businesses, civil society groups, and communities can drive essential changes in economic operations and develop new policies and funding approaches that can address inequalities while minimizing strain on nature and the climate.
• Second, effective management, equitable sharing, and optimal use of resources at all societal levels are crucial, including tackling the excessive consumption by some communities that restricts access to basic resources for those most in need.
• Third, investment in sustainable and affordable technologies is vital to enable reduced resource usage and to create more “safe and just space” for all, particularly in areas with little to no remaining resources.
This report has been published in The Lancet Planetary Health and is co-authored by over 60 leading natural and social scientists from around the world.
