Planetary Boundaries + Anthropocene

Question 1

Post-Political Ontology

Answer 1

Eco-modernization, green growth, and realiance on technology for solutions.

Depoliticisation: technological
development is assumed to be
natural/neutral and thus there is no need for
democratic interference. Dominating power
structures, such as green growth and
unequal societies, can carry on.
Technology assumed to be politically
neutral, yet shaping societies and everyday life.

Question 1

Post-Social Ontology

Answer 1

(The study of existence) of the Anthropocene:
“In short, the Anthropocene reveals the power of humans, but it conceals who and what is powerful and
how that power is enacted”.

Recognizes justice, and unequal impacts and contributions to climate change. (e.g. those who have contributed the least are most affected by floods, droughts, fires, heat waves, etc.)

Question 2

What are the two “core” planetary boundaries, and why are they labeled as such?

Answer 2

Two core boundaries:
-Climate change
-Biosphere integrity

Why they matter: the breaching of these two boundaries alone could throw the earth into catastrophe. They also have strong effects and interactions with other boundaries.

Question 3

What is The Great Accelateration?

Answer 3

The Great Acceleration is the dramatic, continous and rougly
simultaneous surge in growth rate across a large range of
measures of human activity, first recorded in mid-20th century and continuing to this day. Within the concept of the proposed epoch of anthropocene, these measures are those specifically of humanity’s impact on Earth’s geology and its ecosystems.

Question 4

When did the Anthropocene begin, according to Rockstrom et. al. (2009)?

Answer 4

The 1950s

Question 5

What is some evidence that we have entered the Anthropocene?

Answer 5

-Chemical composition of ecosystems and nutrient cycles
-Biodiversity loss
-GHG emissions
-Depletion of natural resources
-Exceeded PBs

Question 6

What are the 9 planetary boundaries, and which ones have we transgressed?

Answer 6

-Biosphere Integrity (ecosystem and genetic integrity) - transgressed
-Atmospheric Loading
-Freshwater change (blue and green water) -transgressed
-Land-system change -transgressed
-Biogeochemical flows -transgressed
-Ocean acidification
-Novel entities -transgressed
-Stratospheric ozone depletion
-Climate change -transgressed

Question 7

Name 3 drivers for biodiversity loss?

Answer 7

1. Land-use change
2. Introduction of alien species
3. Overexploitation

Question 8

Describe the two components of the Freshwater Change boundary

Answer 8

Blue water and green water are the two components.

Blue water refers to the available freshwater in lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and glaciers. Green water refers to water in soils and plants.

Blue water is affected through pollution, dams, and etc., whereas green water refers to the pumping, depletion, and contamination of ground and soil water, which can cause ground sinking and loss of soil moisture (ag issues).

Question 9

What are the two measurements of the Climate Change boundary?

Answer 9

CO2 and Radiative Forcing

Question 10

What are the two measurements of the Biosphere Integrity boundary?

Answer 10

Functional and genetic diversity

Question 11

What are the two measurements for the Biogeochemical flows boundary?

Answer 11

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Question 12

If we would remove anthropogenic aerosols such as Sulphur from the atmosphere, what would
happen to the average temperature on earth?

Answer 12

The earth would become warmer (aerosols cool the planet)

Question 13

What are the main causes of problematic aerosols in the world?

Answer 13

Emissions from industries and urban areas

Question 14

Describe one way in which we are disturbing the biogeochemical flows, a consequential problem,
and propose at least one possible solution to the problem.

Answer 14

Using too much synthetic fertilizer to compensate for soil degradation due to intensive agricultural systems à runoff into waters when it rains à nutrients cause algae bloom and
eutrophication in waters, killing marine life.
Possible solutions: regenerative farming to restore soil quality and reduce fertilizer use, poly cropping, planting nitrogen fixating crops and/or cover crops. Planting catchment crops to reduce runoff from
fertilizers.

Question 15

Which of the below is not a justice criterion used to analyze safe ESBs (Earth System Boundaries)?
A. Interspecies justice and Earth system stability.
B. Intraspecies justice.
C. Intergenerational justice.
D. Intragenerational justice between countries, communities and individuals.

Answer 15

B. Intraspecies justice

Question 16

Explain the difference between genetic and functional diversity in the biosphere integrity PB.

Answer 16

Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within a species. If genetic diversity declines, species become more susceptible to diseases, environmental changes, and extinction.

Functional diversity refers to the range of different biological functions and processes performed by species within an ecosystem. It focuses on the roles species play in their environment, such as nutrient cycling, pollination, or predation. If certain species that perform critical functions are lost, entire ecosystems can collapse, even if genetic diversity remains high.

Question 17

What would mass biodiversity loss mean for the rest of the planetary boundaries and the Earth System
as a whole?

Answer 17

Mass biodiversity loss would destabilize ecosystems, reducing their ability to sequester carbon, regulate nutrient cycles, and support essential services like water purification and soil fertility. This would exacerbate climate change, disrupt biogeochemical flows, and increase land degradation. It would also weaken the resilience of ecosystems to recover from shocks, pushing some systems toward tipping points of collapse. The interdependence of biodiversity with other Planetary Boundaries means that its loss would
amplify problems like freshwater scarcity, ocean acidification, and pollution, ultimately threatening Earth’s stability and human well-being.

Question 18

What does E/MSY mean?

Answer 18

Extinction rate per million species per year. Control variable of Genetic diversity.

Question 19

What is the precautionary principle concerning the planetary boundaries? (Discuss proving an
example, choosing one of the planetary boundaries)

Answer 19

The planetary boundary for climate change is primarily defined by the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). The boundary is set at 350 parts per million (ppm) of CO₂, a level which corresponds to a global mean surface temperature increase of
around 1°C above pre-industrial levels. This threshold was chosen based on strong evidence that beyond this level, the risk of crossing dangerous tipping points rises significantly. The 350-ppm boundary reflects the precautionary principle, which aims to prevent
irreversible damage to the Earth’s system. For context, the pre-industrial concentration of CO₂ was about 280 ppm, a level that persisted throughout the Holocene. However, since the Industrial Revolution, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels,
have pushed CO₂ levels well beyond this boundary, currently exceeding 415 ppm.

Question 20

Explain the role of forests in the regulation of climate change effects.

Answer 20

Natural ecosystems, particularly forests, play an important role in absorbing atmospheric CO₂. Indeed, forests are essential for both carbon sequestration and local climate regulation. Recent studies suggest that limiting deforestation and increasing reforestation efforts can transform terrestrial ecosystems from carbon sources to carbon sinks, thereby stabilizing the Earth’s carbon cycle and limiting the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere

Question 21

How does the concept of “safe and just” planetary boundaries apply to climate change, and why is it important to address both environmental and social justice aspects when formulating strategies to
mitigate climate change impacts?

Answer 21

The concept of “safe and just” planetary boundaries applies to climate change by recognizing that the global rise in temperatures must be limited not only to avoid catastrophic environmental tipping points but also to protect vulnerable human populations. A
“safe” boundary for climate change focuses on preventing extreme events such as more intense storms, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels, which could disrupt ecosystems, agriculture, and water supplies. The “just” aspect, however, stresses that while climate change is a global issue, its impacts are disproportionately felt by those least responsible for causing it. This highlights the importance of balancing efforts to stabilize the Earth’s climate system while also promoting justice for populations who are most
vulnerable to adverse effects.

Question 22

How do polar stratospheric clouds impact the ozone layer?

Answer 22

Polar stratospheric clouds accelerate the impact of chlorine, such as human-made CFCs, by providing chlorine surface in the form of ice crystals and preventing chlorine deactivation.

Question 23

What is the difference between stratospheric and tropospheric ozone?

Answer 23

Stratospheric ozone helps to shield dangerous UV rays from earth, while tropospheric ozone is a human-made pollutant.

Question 24

Why is the Montreal Protocol considered successful?

Answer 24

The Montreal Protocol is successful due to the fact that it is universally ratified, it was put into action rapidly after the problem of ozone depletion was discovered and it has changed the trajectory of the ozone hole.

Question 25

In what way is plankton affected by ocean acidification and what could a consequence of a disruption
to plankton populations be?

Answer 25

Plankton need carbonate ions to build their shells and without sufficient access to it plankton populations are at risk of decline. Since they are the basis of the marine food chain, a disruption of the plankton population could be devastating to all marine ecosystems.

Question 26

What are some of the disadvantages of alkalinization applied to the ocean?

Answer 26

Ecosystem disruption, marine life impact, quick lime necessarily has large energy and fossil fuel CO₂ footprints, cost of the materials and infrastructure, large scale application is difficult and implementing it locally can create imbalance in the ecosystem.

Question 27

Name two potential solutions to the problem of novel entities and explain how they could help?

Answer 27

Multiple answers possible. Circular economy, screening, green chemistry etc. Explanations for why the solution helps should either be related to how it helps define and screen the boundary, or how it is a precautionary measure that helps release less chemicals all together.