Research story | 2025-11-05

Responsible AI can help science tackle the planetary crises

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping almost every aspect of society. Now, a new international report argues it could also help accelerate science and research about climate change, biodiversity loss, and other urgent crises related to planetary boundaries.

Research story | 2025-10-24

Shocktracker.org: Mapping shocks, reinforcing accountability, building resilience

When large climate impacts hit people and ecosystems, how can academics help communities build back better? A good start is by collecting accurate data on past events.

Research story | 2025-09-25

Local decisions in China affect coastal flood exposure more than global sea-level rise

Rising seas due to climate change threaten China’s rapidly developing coasts. However, coastal policy decisions will shape who and what is exposed to those rising seas and how much the land sinks, a new research paper published in Nature reveals. “Climate change is global, but coastal risk plays out locally”, the international team of Chinese and European researchers emphasize.

Research story | 2025-09-19

The ecology of money: How systemic interactions can grow sustainable finance

Finance actively shapes the Earth. By steering flows of money, providing insurance, and controlling costs of credit the financial system promotes activities and builds infrastructure than can either erode or enhance nature.

Research story | 2025-09-08

World’s biggest ocean industries failing to disclose true impact on seas

The world’s largest ocean-based companies – from shipping giants to seafood multinationals – are failing to disclose the full extent of the damage their operations cause to the seas, according to a new global study.

Research story | 2025-08-18

60 percent of the world’s land area is in a precarious state

More than half of the world’s land is under environmental strain that could make it harder for nature to keep supporting human life, according to a major new study.

General news | 2025-08-18

“We need a robust plastic treaty that protects people and the planet”

After ten days of negotiations in Geneva at INC-5.2, countries have not yet agreed on a new global plastics treaty. A large group of countries dissatisfied with the proposed text refused to accept a weak agreement that falls short of protecting environmental and human health, as indicated by the science.

Research story | 2025-06-13

Finding patterns in a world of crises

Imagine a game where every move affects the entire board and outcome. This is today's reality, where climate change, social inequality, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions are all intertwined, and a small shift in one of them could have cascading effects.

Research story | 2025-05-13

A "Fika" for the future

In Sweden, the daily ritual of Fika – a cherished pause to share coffee, pastries, and conversation – is more than just a coffee break. It’s a social institution. But as the climate crisis deepens, even the comforting traditions of Fika might need to evolve.

General news | 2024-12-04

Finalizing a global plastic treaty must be guided by independent science

Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution have failed to reach agreement. Pending a follow-up meeting, researchers keep calling on decision-makers to be truly informed by independent science when agreeing on a global treaty.

Research in short | 2024-06-24

Positive tipping points for whom?

Tipping points can have winners and losers. That’s why one shouldn’t call them positive or negative, according to a new article.

Research story | 2024-05-01

New research links plastic production to plastic pollution

A recent research paper published in Science Advances reveals a direct correlation between plastic production and plastic pollution

Research story | 2024-03-15

The end of an ERA and next steps for Earth resilience

“We are deep into the Anthropocene and recognize that Earth’s resilience needs to be taken seriously to navigate our future,” said Johan Rockström during the concluding symposium of the research project Earth Resilience in the Anthropocene, ERA.

Research story | 2024-03-06

Freshwater planetary boundary has been crossed since the mid-twentieth century

The global freshwater cycle has shifted far beyond pre-industrial conditions, a new analysis shows

Research news | 2024-01-23

Planetary Commons: Fostering global cooperation to safeguard critical Earth system functions

We should look at tipping elements of the Earth system as global commons, argue researchers in a new paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Research news | 2024-01-08

New system guides businesses to act within planetary boundaries

Only measuring carbon emissions will not help companies understand if they are on track in their sustainability work. A research team of ecologists and economists has developed a new reporting system: Earth System Impact, ESI

Research news | 2023-12-06

New report: Tipping point threats and opportunities accelerate

The world has reached a pivotal moment as threats from Earth system tipping points – and progress towards positive tipping points – accelerate, a new report shows

Research news | 2023-11-13

New research maps 14 potential evolutionary dead ends for humanity and ways to avoid them

Humankind risks getting stuck in 14 evolutionary dead ends, ranging from global climate tipping points to misaligned artificial intelligence, chemical pollution, and accelerating infectious diseases

Research news | 2023-09-13

All planetary boundaries mapped out for the first time, six of nine crossed

For the first time, an international team of scientists is able to provide a detailed outline of planetary resilience by mapping out all nine boundary processes that define a safe operating space for humanity.

Research news | 2023-05-31

Groundbreaking study quantifies safe and just Earth system boundaries

International commission proposes new safe and just boundaries for maintaining a healthy planet and protecting people from significant harm