Johan Rockstorm, a Swedish scientist, is at the forefront of analyzing the destabilization of our planet in what is now known as the Anthropocene era, the era of humans. He focuses on understanding what has historically kept our planet stable, particularly during the Holocene period of the last 10,000 years.

Key Insights:

1. Rockstorm’s research delves into the study of planetary boundaries, which determine the state of our planet and help identify the risk of triggering non-linear changes.
2. The 9 boundaries of our planet maintain the planet’s balance and are reaching dangerous zones. What’s concerning is that we have already surpassed the limit in 4 out of the 9 planetary boundaries. 1) Climate. 2) Forest loss. 3) Nutrients. 4) Biodiversity.
3. Johan Rockstorm’s work is a wake-up call to take the planetary boundaries seriously and act urgently to address the challenges we face in safeguarding our planet and its ecosystems. Understanding and respecting these limits is crucial to creating a sustainable future.

The 9 Planetary Boundaries:

1) Increase in GHGs

• CO2 concentration were stable during the Holocene, but in the Anthropocene, it has surged to 415 ppmCO2, with uncertainty of climate consequences ranging between 350 and 450 ppm. The limit for the planet is 450 ppm, and we are already at 415 ppm, with severe consequences for climate.

• The planetary boundary consensus is of 1.5 degrees of warming; we are currently at 1.1 – 1.3 degrees. Climate consequences will continue to escalate as the temperature increases. On this boundary, each day that passes is getting us closer to a point of no return.

2) Changes in the planet’s ice

• The delicate balance that maintains ice and snow at the poles is being disrupted due to cumulative glacier melting. The tipping point has been surpassed, leading to increased sea level rise, especially with the rapid melting of ice in Greenland and Antarctica, which now are considered unstable due to accelerated ice loss in it’s oceans. Greenland is actually losing 10,000 cubic meters of ice per second, which could raise sea levels by seven meters.

• For human populations, along with the infrastructure and diverse ecosystems that inhabit coastal regions, this translates into an escalated vulnerability spanning across numerous coastal landscapes.

3) Hydrological cycle: Earth’s bloodstream

• The crucial cycle that provides fresh water to sustain life is under threat. The world is approaching a danger zone for freshwater resources as the volume extracted from rivers is pushing many towards depletion. Consider the essential consumption for a single human is 3000 liters of water daily.

4) Oceans

• Oceans have become 26% more acidic over the past few decades due to increased CO2 dissolving in water. This poses a significant threat to marine life, especially coral reefs, which have already suffered massive bleaching. We are still within the safe zone, but approaching a catastrophic mass extinction.

5) Land configuration

• We have eliminated 40% of global forests, already in the danger zone for this boundary. Concerns over habitat transformation: forests, grasslands, and more ecosystems is getting bigger every day.

• Transformation of habitats, like deforestation in the Amazon, is reaching a tipping point. Large portions of the Amazon have been cleared for cattle and soy, leading to potential desertification. The Amazon is approaching a tipping point. Since the 1970s, significant parts have been disturbed. Over 25% of the Amazon rainforest is already lost. Large parts of forests are drying out, leading to savannas replacing them.

6) Biodiversity: all species on land and water

• Nature’s diversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem functions, but it is declining rapidly. A million species out of an estimated 8 million are in danger of extinction, posing significant challenges for food production and the planet’s health. Negative trends endanger our ability to feed the planet, with approximately 70% of crops depending on insect pollination. Monocultures result in a dysfunctional planet without insects.

• We have been in the red zone for biodiversity for a long time. The equivalent of 1.5 degrees in temperature means zero nature loss from now on.

7) Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles

• These nutrient cycles are fundamental for life, but their excessive use as fertilizers leads to eutrophication of water bodies, creating dead zones with no oxygen and disrupting aquatic life.

• There is not enough knowledge on this area; more investigation is needed as little is known about the impacts of this boundary on the biosphere. We are already beyond the danger zone; this boundary requires urgent attention.

• 2 systems whose impacts are unknown and are in the danger zone.

8) Novel Anthropocentric Entities

• Humans have created 100,000 new materials, which can interact catastrophically with the environment. A variety of pollutants ranging from industrial waste to persistent organic pollutants, heavy metal loads, microplastics, and more.

• The impact level of these substances is uncertain, but many have the potential to destabilize the Earth and exceed its boundaries.

9) Ozone Layer

• Ozone intercepts harmful ultraviolet radiation that directly impacts our DNA, causing fatal diseases like skin cancer.

• The discovery of the ozone hole in Antarctica sparked panic and led nations to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals. Scientific warnings translated into political actions. This is the only boundary which we have successfully addressed and recovered.

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Reflection

• The evidence of our actions as a society is indisputable at this point, and we’re already witnessing the consequences. Scientists bear witness to the ongoing impacts and losses. Society needs to start framing the entire growth model around sustainability.

• An immediate priority is reducing carbon emissions to zero and stabilizing global temperatures as low as possible. The fastest emission reduction route is 6-7% annually, implying halving emissions within a decade. Achieving this reduction and capture could bring us back to a safe zone in terms of global warming limits. It would also curb air pollution, slow ocean acidification, and ease pressure on biodiversity. It’s also essential to rapidly halt biodiversity loss and waste generation.

• The years 2020-2030 are a decisive decade for humanity’s future. It’s an incredible time to be alive, but it also comes with the immense responsibility of acting decisively.