The report published in The Lancet Planetary Health highlights the urgent need for a transformation of economic systems and technologies to ensure that the Earth can provide a basic standard of living for everyone in the future. Led by a team of international research scholars, including scientists from The Australian National University, the report emphasizes the role of cities and businesses in becoming stewards of critical Earth systems by reducing their environmental impact. The Earth Commission, established in 2019, involves esteemed interdisciplinary scholars working towards a sustainable future for the planet.
Building on previous research, the report underscores the critical importance of addressing the limits within which humans and the planet can thrive. It warns that Earth’s ability to provide and protect is being stretched past its limits, but with urgent action, it is still possible to escape poverty and harm caused by system change. The report stresses the need to reduce inequalities in accessing and using critical resources like freshwater and nutrients, as well as sharing responsibilities like reducing carbon emissions, to ensure the continued thriving of societies and economies without destabilizing the planet.
The report’s findings suggest that by 2050, without significant transformations, Earth’s climate will deteriorate to the point where there will be no safe and just space left. Even with access to basic resources for a standard of living, the Earth would still be outside the climate boundary. The researchers highlight the risk of crossing dangerous tipping points in Earth systems, which could have significant repercussions if urgent transformations are not made in energy, food, and urban systems. They outline recommendations to ensure the climate remains within a safe and just space, including coordinated efforts between policymakers, businesses, civil society, and communities to address inequality and reduce pressure on nature and climate.
The paper stresses the need for efficient and effective management, sharing, and usage of resources at all levels of society, as well as investments in sustainable technologies to help reduce resource consumption and create space for all to thrive. The report, co-authored by over 60 leading natural and social scientists worldwide, calls for urgent action to address the challenges facing the planet and ensure a sustainable future for all. It emphasizes the role of companies and cities in driving transformation towards a more sustainable and equitable world, where resources are shared fairly, and responsibilities are taken seriously. With a focus on reducing pressure on the planet and promoting a just and safe environment for all, the report seeks to inspire action and collaboration on a global scale.