A 5th planetary limit crossed: what does that mean?
Earlier this year, we heard about the crossing of a fifth planetary boundary. But what is it exactly? Answer with Florent Favier in My Positive Impact on Radio Monaco.
What are the planetary boundaries?
Several scientists have defined the nine planetary limits that must not be crossed to guarantee the survival of the human species. We have already exceeded four limits.
First, that of climate change. It is calculated in tons of CO2 per inhabitant per year. The threshold should not exceed 1.6-2.8 tons. Then, the erosion of biodiversity which represents the rate of extinct or threatened species. Then, the disruption of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle. And finally, land use change. This is when the natural surface is lost to agricultural land or infrastructure.
The fifth planetary boundary: chemical pollution
In January, a fifth limit was exceeded: that of chemical pollution. Since 1950, the production of manufactured chemicals has multiplied by 50. It could still triple by 2050! To date, there are over 350,000 different types of chemicals on the market, including our drug molecules. Unfortunately, the production of plastics continues to increase despite the efforts. As proof: the total mass of all plastics present on earth is equivalent to more than twice the mass of all living mammals!
With five out of nine sustainability indicators exceeded, it is time to act, and quickly. We must quickly reverse our way of consuming.