The Lancet, 15 July 2025

Connecting planetary boundaries and planetary health: a resilient and stable Earth system is crucial for human health

Earth system scientists developed the planetary boundaries framework for measuring and tracking the stability and resilience of the Earth system. The framework quantifies safe boundary levels for nine processes that regulate the state of the Earth system and are increasingly affected by human activity. Six of these planetary boundaries are now transgressed and most trend towards further transgression.

In parallel, health scientists are concerned that changes to the Earth system are eroding foundational conditions for human health and wellbeing (figure). These concerns have given rise to planetary health—a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analysing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth.