What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the physical feasibility of planetary-scale futures without assuming available interventions or technologies.

February 2, 2026Open Access

When Solutions Do Not Exist: Physical Limits on Planetary Futures

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Demonstrates the physical infeasibility of planetary futures, indicating new material requirements for global stability.

To evaluate the physical feasibility of planetary-scale futures without assuming available interventions or technologies.
Developed a constraint-driven computational framework for assessing planetary futures.
Applied the framework to a coupled Earth system model over a 20-year horizon.
Analyzed diverse factors including climate, biosphere, infrastructure, and human mobility.
Nearly all candidate futures are deemed physically infeasible.
A single convergent solution topology with zero variance emerges.
A previously undefined class of material capabilities is necessary for stability.

Lumenis IO PTY LTD (2026) studied this question.

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February 2, 2026Open Access

View Full Paper

Ask AI

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Authors

Demonstrates the physical infeasibility of planetary futures, indicating new material requirements for global stability.

To evaluate the physical feasibility of planetary-scale futures without assuming available interventions or technologies.
Developed a constraint-driven computational framework for assessing planetary futures.
Applied the framework to a coupled Earth system model over a 20-year horizon.
Analyzed diverse factors including climate, biosphere, infrastructure, and human mobility.
Nearly all candidate futures are deemed physically infeasible.
A single convergent solution topology with zero variance emerges.
A previously undefined class of material capabilities is necessary for stability.

Lumenis IO PTY LTD (2026) studied this question.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark