Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries

This update to the planetary boundary framework finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now far outside of safe operating space for humanity. Ocean acidification is about to be exceeded, while the regional aerosol load exceeds the limit. Stratospheric ozone levels have recovered slightly. The level of transgression has increased at all limits previously identified as exceeded. Since primary production drives the functions of the Earth system biosphere, human appropriation of net primary production as a control variable for the functional integrity of the biosphere is proposed. This border is also transgressed. Earth system modelling of different levels of transgression of climate change and Earth system boundaries illustrates that these anthropogenic impacts on the Earth system need to be considered in a systemic context.