Earth system justice needed to identify and live within Earth system boundaries

Joyeeta Gupta*, Diana Liverman, Klaudia Prodani, Paulina Aldunce, Xuemei Bai, Wendy Broadgate, Daniel Ciobanu, Lauren Gifford, Chris Gordon, Margot Hurlbert, Cristina Y.A. Inoue, Lisa Jacobson, Norichika Kanie, Steven J. Lade, Timothy M. Lenton, David Obura, Chukwumerije Okereke, Ilona M. Otto, Laura Pereira, Johan RockströmJoeri Scholtens, Juan Rocha, Ben Stewart-Koster, J. David Tàbara, Crelis Rammelt, Peter H. Verburg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Living within planetary limits requires attention to justice as biophysical boundaries are not inherently just. Through collaboration between natural and social scientists, the Earth Commission defines and operationalizes Earth system justice to ensure that boundaries reduce harm, increase well-being, and reflect substantive and procedural justice. Such stringent boundaries may also affect ‘just access’ to food, water, energy and infrastructure. We show how boundaries may need to be adjusted to reduce harm and increase access, and challenge inequality to ensure a safe and just future for people, other species and the planet. Earth system justice may enable living justly within boundaries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)630-638
Number of pages9
JournalNature Sustainability
Volume6
Issue number6
Early online date2 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This paper was made possible through the voluntary commitment of time and research by the Earth Commissioners and the support of the researchers and secretariat from the Global Challenges Foundation; the Global Commons Alliance, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (with support from Oak Foundation, MAVA, Porticus, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Herlin Foundation and the Global Environment Facility); EC GA 884565; and ERC 101020082 that supported the work of some Commissioners.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Springer Nature Limited.

Funding

This paper was made possible through the voluntary commitment of time and research by the Earth Commissioners and the support of the researchers and secretariat from the Global Challenges Foundation; the Global Commons Alliance, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (with support from Oak Foundation, MAVA, Porticus, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Herlin Foundation and the Global Environment Facility); EC GA 884565; and ERC 101020082 that supported the work of some Commissioners.

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