Humanity’s Future: Earth System Science Within and Beyond Planetary Boundaries

Abstract The Planetary Boundaries framework aligns with Earth System Science to delineate the biophysical and biochemical systems known to regulate the state of the planet. Boundary ranges, as historically known, are scientifically likely to maintain Earth system stability and life support systems conducive to human welfare and social stability during the Holocene. The planetary boundaries literature brings a scientific understanding of Anthropocentric global environmental impacts into a framework for considering the state of the Earth system as a whole. Several boundaries have been transgressed while the others are close to boundary limits. As benchmarks for many scientific limits, boundaries may align to affect the Earth system boundaries as Anthropocentric activity related to the Earth’s overall state. Recent research also provides strong evidence supporting the conclusion that climate change and biosphere integrity, as core boundaries, are in a zone of rapidly increasing risks. This paper explores recent developments relating to ongoing activities of Earth system governance in navigating transformations that underpin the global sustainability agenda.