Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations
September 12, 2023 Belmont Media Center, Belmont MA (zoom)

Dianna Liverman, Ph.D., Regents Professor, University of Arizona, School of Geography, Development and Environment; Commissioner, Earth Commission: Global Commons Alliance

Earth Commission, the prestigious international group of scientists, recently published a study that is receiving a great deal of attention. The study in Nature Journal indicates that we have now breached most of the Earth system boundaries that include climate, biodiversity, fresh water, soil and air. Millions of people have already been displaced, worldwide health is threatened, extinctions are accelerating, ecosystems are being destroyed. The authors emphasize two things: (1) that urgent action is required to save the planet; and (2) action must include justice for the masses who are suffering the results of global destruction.

Diana Liverman, one of the authors of the article/study, is a commissioner of the Earth Commission and a leading researcher. In this interview, she explains the causes of our urgent planetary crisis, and how any attempted solution must include justice for the billions of people who will suffer the breaching of the Earth systems boundaries (ESBs).

Articles on the Earth Commission study's findings

--(original report) Nature, 05/31/23 Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries
--Earth Commission, 05/31/23 A Just World on a Safe Planet: First Study Quantifying Earth System Boundaries Live
--The Guardian, 05/31/23 Earth’s Health Failing in Seven Out of Eight Key Measures, Say Scientists
--Washington Post, 06/02/23 Scientists Ran a Health Check on the Earth — The Results Are Worrying
--Global Challenges Foundation, 05/31/23 First ‘Safe and Just’ Earth Boundaries Quantified
--The Conversation, 05/31/23 It’s Not Just Climate – We’ve Already Breached Most of the Earth’s Limits. A Safer, Fairer Future Means Treading Lightly

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