Food Security

A Planetary Problem with a Social Toll Ocean acidification, driven by anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, represents a critical planetary boundary within Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics framework, directly linking climate change impacts to marine ecosystem health and human food security. As atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen from pre-industrial concentrations of 280 µatm to current levels exceeding 414 µatm, the ocean’s absorption of this excess carbon has fundamentally altered seawater chemistry1. This process has decreased ocean pH by approximately 0.1 units since the Industrial Revolution, with projections indicating further declines to pH 7.8 by 2100 and potentially as low as 7.45 by 23002. The concept of fish adaptation to ocean acidification sits at the intersection of planetary health and social foundations, as marine fisheries provide essential protein sources for over 3 billion people globally while supporting the livelihoods of millions in coastal communities. ...

Understanding Stratospheric Ozone and Its Vulnerability The stratospheric ozone layer, situated approximately 12 to 30 miles above Earth’s surface, plays a crucial protective role by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun12. This atmospheric shield prevents dangerous levels of UV radiation from reaching Earth’s surface, where it would otherwise cause significant harm to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems34. Under natural conditions, ozone ($O_3$) undergoes a continuous cycle of formation and breakdown, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium. In this cycle, ozone absorbs UV radiation and breaks down ($O_3$ + UV light $\rightarrow$ O + $O_2$), but the resulting oxygen atoms can recombine to reform ozone, thus preserving the protective layer while absorbing harmful radiation56. This delicate balance, dependent on complex atmospheric chemistry, evolved over billions of years, creating conditions conducive to life on Earth’s surface42. ...

A (Grim) History of Hollowing Out Our Home The understanding of biodiversity as a planetary boundary has developed considerably over recent decades. Scientists have progressively recognized that biological diversity represents not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental limit to human activities. This recognition began with the Stockholm Resilience Centre’s introduction of the planetary boundaries framework, which identified biodiversity (or biosphere integrity) as one of nine critical Earth system processes that maintain planetary stability1. ...

Introduction: Land Conversion in the Doughnut Land conversion involves both the legal and physical alteration of land from one category to another, carrying significant implications for social well-being and environmental sustainability12. This process typically necessitates regulatory approval, particularly when agricultural land is repurposed for residential, commercial, or industrial uses12. Within the Doughnut Economics framework, land conversion serves as a crucial factor that can either foster sustainable development or drive societies beyond ecological boundaries, contingent upon its management34. ...

The Evolving Story of Freshwater Thinking The recognition of freshwater as a finite and vulnerable resource with planetary boundaries has evolved significantly over recent decades. Historically, water was primarily viewed through a resource extraction lens, with little consideration for sustainability limits or equitable access. The emergence of environmental consciousness in the 1960s and 1970s began shifting this perspective, highlighting connections between water quality, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. ...