The Planetary Boundaries of our Earth

Back in 2009 the designated co-director Johan Rockström and the founding director John Schellnhuber of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) presented the scientific concept of the Planetary Boundaries together with 26 other internationally renowned researchers. The framework defines the safe operating space for humanity on Planet Earth concerning the nine aspects Climate Change, Ocean Acidification, Land-Use Change, Biogeochemical Cycles, Freshwater Use, Biosphere Integrity, Atmospheric Aerosol Loading, Chemical Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion. Since then the recognized concept is constantly developed further and the boundaries are quantified time and again with the involvement of the PIK. The institute’s scientist Holger Hoff contributes to the further development and implementation of the framework and is going to present it to the interested public in his evening lecture on 6 December at the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU). In advance there will be offered a guided tour through the current exhibition “MenschenWelt”. Lecture and tour are free of charge and will be held in German without translation. No registration is necessary.