By Summer Rylander

 

The most recent update to the planetary boundaries framework established in 2009 indicates that six of Earth’s nine boundaries have been crossed, and a seventh is well on its way. 

 

Defined by a team of scientists led by Johan Rockström — now Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research — at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, planetary boundaries specify nine processes essential to Earth’s stability and long-term resilience. All nine have been disrupted by human activity. Now, the question is whether we’ve pushed the planet too far, or if there’s still time to recover. Some experts, including Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki, believe it’s too late.

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What are the planetary boundaries?

The framework outlines nine critical and interlinked boundaries:

 

1. Climate change: This boundary refers to greenhouse gases and aerosols that trap heat within the planet’s atmosphere. More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means more radiation is trapped, leading to an increase in global temperatures and subsequent alteration of climate patterns. 

2. Biosphere integrity: Referring to the health of naturally regulated ecosystems, this boundary considers disruption to biodiversity. The loss of genetic diversity (i.e. when a species goes extinct) leads to a decline in functional integrity of Earth’s ecosystems. 

3. Land system change: Transforming natural landscapes — through the likes of infrastructure development, deforestation, or agricultural expansion — disrupts habitats and ecosystems at large. Biodiversity decreases, and carbon sequestration is lost. 

4. Freshwater change: Similar to land system change, the disruption of freshwater cycles damages habitats and impacts carbon sequestration. Blue water (rivers and lakes) and green water (soil moisture) disturbances can alter precipitation levels.

5. Modification of biogeochemical flows: This boundary involves nutrient elements like nitrogen and phosphorus, both of which are essential for life. The disruption of natural biogeochemical cycles, which occurs especially within industrial and agricultural processes, alters the available nutrient balance. 

6. Novel entities: As novel synthetic chemicals are released into the environment, they impact evolutionary processes. Genetic modification of living organisms alters the planet’s ecosystems and functioning processes. 

7. Ocean acidification: As ocean water absorbs CO2, acidity levels increase. Marine ecosystems are impacted by acidification, causing harm to organisms reliant on calcium carbonate for shells or skeletons, as well as reducing an ocean’s ability to serve as a carbon sink. 

8. Stratospheric ozone depletion: The ozone layer protects Earth from ultraviolet radiation. As the ozone layer thins, more UV radiation is able to reach the planet’s surface.  

9. Atmospheric aerosol loading: Airborne particles influence temperature and precipitation patterns. Air pollution damages forest biomes and marine ecosystems, driving climate change.

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Which boundaries have been crossed? 

While all of the boundaries have been affected by humans, six are currently pushed beyond a safe operating space, and a seventh is very close to the threshold.

 

• Climate change: CO2 concentrations are increasing.

• Biosphere integrity: Genetic diversity is being lost, and functional integrity is suffering.

• Land system change: The remaining tropical, boreal, and temperate forests are below safe levels.

• Freshwater change: Human disruptions have exceeded both blue and green water boundaries.

• Biogeochemical flows: Industrial fixation of nitrogen has disrupted these flows.

• Novel entities: Too many synthetic substances are released into the environment without proper safety testing.

• Ocean acidification: Acidification is increasing, particularly in higher-latitude areas.

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Image Credit: Azote for Stockholm Resilience Centre, based on analysis in Richardson et al, 2023.
Attribution: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

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What does it all mean?

The planetary boundaries framework isn’t just about nature itself. It’s about the environmental limits within which a safe operating space for humanity can thrive. 

 

Disruption doesn’t equate to instant collapse, but the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems means that one disrupted system can and will impact another. From a human wellness standpoint, continuing to push boundaries that have already been crossed means flirting with food insecurity, water shortages, and difficult climate conditions.

 

Is it too late to turn back?

Vancouver-based scientist, communicator, and environmental advocate David Suzuki said in a July 2025 interview with iPolitics that “it’s too late.” Suzuki referenced Rockström, relaying that “Rockström says we have five years to get out of the danger zone.” He went on to point out that, despite 28 COP meetings discussing climate change, we’ve yet to cap carbon emissions. 

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That said, Suzuki hasn’t given up the fight. In the same interview, he mentions a need for “revolution” over incremental changes, citing the difficulties of positive change within current political and economic systems. A community focus is key, according to Suzuki, who urges communities to look to Finland as an example. While the government is taking measures to forewarn citizens, they’re not sugarcoating the need for on-the-ground preparation. “[...] the Finnish government has sent a letter to all of their citizens warning of future emergencies, whether they’re earthquakes, floods, droughts, or storms. They’re going to come and they’re going to be more urgent and prolonged.” 

 

What can be done to reverse crossed boundaries?

Some elements of crossed planetary boundaries simply cannot be undone. Biodiversity loss through extinction is a prime example. 

 

Rockström has emphasized the importance of urgent mitigation. It’s only through coordinated human action that it may be possible to bring some of the surpassed boundaries back to a safer level. Actionable changes include:

 

• A rapid transition to renewable energy

• Restoration of carbon sinks like forests and wetlands

• Expanded protection of biodiversity hotspots

• Restoration of degraded ecosystems

• Reformed food systems, including the curbing of deforestation for agriculture

• Promoting regenerative agricultural practices

• Restoring compromised river flows

• Reducing water-intensive crops 

• Regulating or banning harmful chemicals like PFAS and pesticides

• Protecting marine ecosystems

• Transitioning to cleaner transport and industry to reduce particulate matter

 

Critical shifts won’t happen overnight, but if enough industries and world leaders come together now to make real change, there’s still hope for extending our time on a human-friendly planet. Planetary boundaries can act as a compass toward sustainability and avoiding further disruption — even if it may be too late to return to a truly healthy planet.