For the last ten millennia, humanity has existed in a fine balance with Earth, with the actions of our species affecting aspects F of Earth’s system, such as climate and the existence of other forms of life, all of which also impact this finely tuned natural machine. Since the Industrial Revolution, however, humanity’s relationship with the Earth system has been skewed out of balance. As a species we put more waste back into the system than it can handle while simultaneously removing vital elements, such as habitats needed by other species, which simultaneously deletes these species with an intensity currently approaching that of mass extinctions previously experienced by our planet.
Now, the first comprehensive ‘global health check’ has revealed that Earth and its life-support systems are “now well outside of the safe operating space” for humanity as a result of this one-sided relationship with nature. The research suggests the planet’s resistance to humanity’s influence is failing, something which could threaten the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) – a key tipping point for Earth, beyond which lies a dramatic increase in the risk of events such as extreme flooding, drought, wildfires and food shortages. These dramatic changes signal the beginning of a new epoch for humanity and for Earth as a whole.