Outside the Safe Operating Space of the Planetary Boundary for Novel Entities

Abstract

We submit that the safe operating space of the planetary boundary of novel entities is exceeded since annual production and releases are increasing at a pace that outstrips the global capacity for assessment and monitoring. The novel entities boundary in the planetary boundaries framework refers to entities that are novel in a geological sense and that could have large-scale impacts that threaten the integrity of Earth system processes. We review the scientific literature relevant to quantifying the boundary for novel entities and highlight plastic pollution as a particular aspect of high concern. An impact pathway from production of novel entities to impacts on Earth system processes is presented. We define and apply three criteria for assessment of the suitability of control variables for the boundary: feasibility, relevance, and comprehensiveness. We propose several complementary control variables to capture the complexity of this boundary, while acknowledging major data limitations. We conclude that humanity is currently operating outside the planetary boundary based on the weight-of-evidence for several of these control variables. The increasing rate of production and releases of larger volumes and higher numbers of novel entities with diverse risk potentials exceed societies’ ability to conduct safety related assessments and monitoring. We recommend taking urgent action to reduce the harm associated with exceeding the boundary by reducing the production and releases of novel entities, noting that even so, the persistence of many novel entities and/or their associated effects will continue to pose a threat.

Priorities for research on environment, climate and health, a European perspective

“…The ambitious political goals set in the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Green Deal, will need major investments in research and innovation. The HERA Agenda coincides with the reports highlighting the planetary boundaries [ 8 , 9 ], and intertwined environmental pressures, the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, affecting the health of the planet and of the people [ 10 ]. The Agenda reinforces the opportunity to bring together human health and environment field to work together on integrated and transformative solutions.…”

One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

“…There is an increasing awareness that humanity, particularly the population and industry in high-income countries, have already likely left the safe operating space, i.e., transgressed the planetary boundary for novel entities [ 7 ]. In addition, international assessment and regulation of chemical pollution clearly lags behind the rapid and enormous increase in production and diversity of chemicals.…”

“…Clearly communicating science and policy needs to solve this societal problem, the body is required to conduct assessments that go beyond current approaches, which are limited in terms of the geographical regions covered, the number of chemicals considered and the lack of considering ambient mixtures, the consideration of science-based and absolute pollution reduction targets and the lack of systems thinking. Major challenges for a novel science–policy body on chemicals and wastes are (i) to foster global knowledge production on exposure, impacts and governance, and go beyond data-rich regions (e.g., Europe and North America), (ii) to cover the entirety of hazardous chemicals and mixtures, (iii) to follow a one-health perspective considering the risks posed by chemicals on ecosystems, ecosystem services and human health, (iv) and to strive for solution-oriented assessments based on systems thinking and appreciating the complexity of driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and possible responses to reduce chemical pollution to remain within safe boundaries [ 7 ].…”

“…However, even if a well-defined planetary boundary for novel entities including chemical pollution is still lacking, the rate of increase of chemical production and use is alarming and exceeds that of most other indicators including population growth rate, emissions of carbon dioxide and agricultural land use [ 12 ]. A recent paper concluded that “humanity is currently operating outside the planetary boundary” on novel entities and that “the increasing rate of production and releases of larger volumes and higher numbers of novel entities with diverse risk potentials exceed societies’ ability to conduct safety related assessments and monitoring” [ 7 ]. At the global level, three criteria have been defined to be fulfilled to pose a threat to the Earth system [ 10 ].…”

Enhancing Scientific Support for the Stockholm Convention’s Implementation: An Analysis of Policy Needs for Scientific Evidence

“…16,115 For decades, the global production and use of chemicals has been experiencing exponential growth with limited scrutiny; this has likely resulted in current humanity operating outside the planetary boundary. 116 Urgent concerted action at the global scale is much needed, including swift societal recognition and reduction of harm caused by chemical pollution. This is particularly critical for POPs and other persistent synthetic chemicals, which can accumulate in the environment and lead to long-term, poorly reversible impacts.…”