Our planet’s vital signs are flashing red
We have breached 7 out of 9 Planetary Boundaries.
The Planetary Health Check 2025 makes it clear: We have to act now.
Summary
Human activities have pushed Earth beyond its Safe Operating Space. The planet's natural resilience is weakening: global warming is accelerating, ecosystems are showing clear signs of degradation, and early warning signs of tipping points are emerging in key systems. We have entered the Anthropocene — an era where human activity dominates the Earth system.
To safeguard the Earth's resilience and stability, we must bring the planet back into its Planetary Boundaries. These boundaries are scientifically defined guardrails that ensure the Earth's health. Stay within them, and the Earth stays our dependable home — breach them, and we risk irreversible damage to our very own life support system. Today, seven out of nine boundaries have been transgressed.
The Planetary Health Check is a yearly report on the state of our planet. It presents the most up-to-date assessments of the Planetary Boundaries, gives thorough introductions into cutting-edge science, and spotlights especially relevant aspects of our planet's health. In this 2025 edition, we place a special focus on the Ocean's role in the Earth system, and assess for the first time that Ocean Acidification is the seventh transgressed Planetary Boundary.
“In the past century, and mostly since the 1950s, more has been learned than ever before about what makes Earth suitable for life, especially human life, in a fiercely inhospitable universe.”
Sylvia Earle, Planetary Guardian
Oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer; Founder, Mission Blue; Founding Ocean Elder
Planetary Health Check 2024
A Scientific Assessment of the State of the Planet
This inaugural annual report represents a crucial step in monitoring and safeguarding Earth's stability, resilience, and life-support functions — what we refer to as "Planetary Health".
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Planetary Health Check 2025
A Scientific Assessment of the State of the Planet
This second annual assessment of our planet's health presents the most up-to-date Planetary Boundaries science. In focus this year: Our ocean, and the role it plays for Earth's stability and habitability. Further spotlights include an investigation of the last year's extreme weather events, and a landscape overview of efforts to put Planetary Boundary science into action.
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About this Project
The Planetary Boundaries Science (PBScience) project was launched in 2023 to address critical gaps in our understanding and monitoring of the Earth system. Utilizing advanced simulation modeling, incorporating the latest available measurement datasets and synthesizing new insights from Earth system science literature, PBScience provides annual Planetary Health Checks based on the Planetary Boundaries framework. Collaborating closely with the Planetary Guardians and other partners, PBScience strives to elevate global awareness and drive action towards maintaining planetary stability.
What now
PBScience is currently forming a Planetary Boundaries Initiative (PBI) which brings together diverse scientists, policymakers, and civil society to create collaborative solutions for environmental risks. The PBI welcomes new collaborations and suggestions.
Get in Touch
Are you interested in collaborating, or do you have questions or inquiries? We would love to hear from you.
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