Question

The concept of 'planetary boundaries' refers to:

• A. The limits of human population growth
• B. The critical thresholds for environmental sustainability
• C. The potential for colonizing other planets
• D. The economic costs of environmental protection

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The critical thresholds for environmental sustainability

The concept of "planetary boundaries" refers to a framework that defines the limits of human impact on the Earth system. Planetary boundaries are a framework to describe limits to the impacts of human activities on the Earth system. Beyond these limits, the environment may not be able to self-regulate anymore. This would mean the Earth system would leave the period of stability of the Holocene, in which human society developed.