Planetary Boundaries: Guiding Human Development On A Changing Planet

Critical Writing Essay

The article, Planetary Boundaries: Guiding Human Development on a Changing Planet, is about a study that was conducted to help integrate the continued events of human societies and the maintenance of earth systems. The study is aimed at balancing the pressure created by human beings on the Earth’s systems by developing a planetary-bound framework that provides a science-based analysis of the risk that human perturbations will destabilize the Earth’s systems. The study found that climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and ocean acidification remain unchanged from the earlier analysis (Steffen et al. 4). The authors of the article concluded by saying that the PBs are scientifically based levels of human perturbation of the Earth Systems beyond which the functioning of the Earth Systems may be substantially altered.

The current condition of the planet Earth is characterized by continually increasing pressure on the planet’s system. For instance, the ozone is being scorched at a very high rate, and sea levels are rising at an alarming rate. Other than that, the world governments are struggling to provide clean water to their citizens as the earth’s water is poisoned by the numerous chemicals that have been developed by human beings. The article addresses this issue that no one is willing to talk about and, at the same time, tries to propose a remedy to save the earth. The Planetary boundary framework provides a scientific-based analysis of the risk that human perturbations will destabilize the earth’s systems. This is valuable information as it lets people know the mistakes they are making and the consequences that are coming. This will help guide human development and also safeguard the Earth’s Systems from failing.

The study was conducted by a group of highly educated people who have expertise in different aspects of the earth’s structure and its systems. For instance, Will Steffen is an American Chemist and also the executive director of the Australian National University Climate Change Institute. He was also a member of the Australian Climate Commission until its dissolution in September 2013. Other members who took part in the study also hold distinguished positions in different institutions that are fighting for the restoration of earth systems while advancing in human development and technology. Most of the authors have taken part in one or two programs that were aimed at studying and finding a solution to the continuously increasing failure of earth systems. For instance, Will Steffen is the executive director of the Australian university. He was a member of the Australian Climate Commission until its dissolution (Whiteman, Brian and Paolo 310). Katherine Richardson, on the other hand, is a professor and leader of the Sustainability Science Center. This, therefore, shows the expertise of the authors and the kind of skills and knowledge they have in the specific subjects addressed by the study.

The mission of the authors is to provide a scientific-based analysis of the risk that is being created by the pressure of human developments on Earth Systems. This will make human beings develop boundaries regarding the limits they can go when it comes to development, thus helping stabilize the planet’s systems that have already been destroyed. In regards to biases, there is one case where the authors are biased as they do not give any chance to any ideas that could help in stabilizing the current state (Biermann 5). For instance, the authors are only inclined to the idea that the planetary boundary framework is the only solution to the issue addressed in the study. But in the real sense, there are a lot of possible solutions that only need incubation to be viable. The article is primarily focused on how to develop the PB framework but does not take into account the reactions of the people and the possible pressures that may develop after that. The main aim of the study is to provide a scientifically based risk analysis. However, the authors are not specific on how the risk may be minimized and if all the stakeholders will follow the recommendations. Therefore, the authors should then go forth and answer how they will be able to make all the stakeholders use this study to bring balance to planet Earth.

Works Cited

Biermann, Frank. “Planetary boundaries and earth system governance: Exploring the links.” Ecological Economics 81 (2012): 4-9.

Steffen, Will, et al. “Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet.” Science 347.6223 (2015): 1259855.

Whiteman, Gail, Brian Walker, and Paolo Perego. “Planetary boundaries: Ecological foundations for corporate sustainability.” Journal of Management Studies 50.2 (2013): 307-336.