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Rockström J, Kotzé L, Milutinović S, Biermann F, Brovkin V, Donges J, Ebbesson J, French D, Gupta J, Kim R, Lenton T, Lenzi D, Nakicenovic N, Neumann B, Schuppert F, Winkelmann R, Bosselmann K, Folke C, Lucht W, Schlosberg D, Richardson K, Steffen W. The planetary commons: A new paradigm for safeguarding Earth-regulating systems in the Anthropocene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2301531121. [PMID: 38252839 PMCID: PMC10835110 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301531121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene signifies the start of a no-analogue trajectory of the Earth system that is fundamentally different from the Holocene. This new trajectory is characterized by rising risks of triggering irreversible and unmanageable shifts in Earth system functioning. We urgently need a new global approach to safeguard critical Earth system regulating functions more effectively and comprehensively. The global commons framework is the closest example of an existing approach with the aim of governing biophysical systems on Earth upon which the world collectively depends. Derived during stable Holocene conditions, the global commons framework must now evolve in the light of new Anthropocene dynamics. This requires a fundamental shift from a focus only on governing shared resources beyond national jurisdiction, to one that secures critical functions of the Earth system irrespective of national boundaries. We propose a new framework-the planetary commons-which differs from the global commons framework by including not only globally shared geographic regions but also critical biophysical systems that regulate the resilience and state, and therefore livability, on Earth. The new planetary commons should articulate and create comprehensive stewardship obligations through Earth system governance aimed at restoring and strengthening planetary resilience and justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Rockström
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Institute for Earth and Environment, University of Potsdam, Potsdam14476, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Louis Kotzé
- Faculty of Law, North-West University, Potchefstroom2531, South Africa
- Law School, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
- Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Frank Biermann
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Brovkin
- Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg20146, Germany
| | - Jonathan Donges
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ebbesson
- Department of Law, Stockholm University, Stockholm11419, Sweden
| | - Duncan French
- College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, LincolnLN6 7TS, United Kingdom
| | - Joyeeta Gupta
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1012 WP, The Netherlands
- International Institute for Infrastructural Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft2611 AX, The Netherlands
| | - Rakhyun Kim
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy Lenton
- Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, ExeterEX4 4QE, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Lenzi
- Department of Philosophy, University of Twente, Enschede7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Nebojsa Nakicenovic
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, LaxenburgA-2361, Austria
- Vienna University of Technology, Vienna1040, Austria
| | - Barbara Neumann
- Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Ricarda Winkelmann
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
| | - Klaus Bosselmann
- Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, Auckland1142, New Zealand
| | - Carl Folke
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, StockholmSE-10405, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Lucht
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Department of Geography, Humboldt University, Berlin12489, Germany
| | - David Schlosberg
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Camperdown NSW2050, Australia
| | - Katherine Richardson
- Globe Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen1172, Denmark
| | - Will Steffen
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
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