Commentary: rising planetary risks after missed decade of action

In the commentary published in One Earth, scientists of The Earth League alliance conclude that “too little was done too late” in the last decade, from 2015 to 2025: global warming is on track to exceed 1.5°C in the coming years, with seven of nine planetary boundaries already breached. They also note that progress towards global sustainability goals is lagging: only 15 percent of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are currently on track for 2030.

The authors describe emerging signs of declining Earth system resilience and explain that recovering from a temporary breach of the 1.5°C limit, once it happens, will require rapid emission cuts, large-scale carbon dioxide removal, and efforts to sustain natural carbon sinks. At the same time, the analysis highlights how interacting pressures from biodiversity loss to land-use change and freshwater stress are risks for societies. Coordinated action across energy, food, and land systems will be essential to limit further destabilisation.

The commentary also points out a few positive developments: several advanced economies, including the United States and the European Union, have already peaked their carbon emissions, indicating that economic growth can be decoupled from fossil fuel consumption. More than 140 countries and nearly a quarter of major cities have adopted net-zero targets.

Despite the stark assessment, the commentary emphasises that stabilising the Earth system remains scientifically possible. Achieving this will require decisive action the years ahead, strengthened resilience and closer collaboration between science and decision-makers to support integrated strategies for long-term sustainability: “If decision- makers and scientists seize this moment, they can transform the international setting into the turning point history demands.”