About
The Planetary Health Check has been created to provide a regular, comprehensive, scientific assessment of the state of the Earth system based on the Planetary Boundaries Science, to better monitor changes, gauge risks, identify urgent actions, develop solutions, and assess our progress in maintaining a safe operating space for humanity.
Our goal is that the PHC becomes a regularly visited resource for policymakers, business leaders, media and the general public to understand the status and latest science on the health of our planet.
Scientists
Katherine Richardson
University of Copenhagen
Katherine Richardson is a core researcher in an international research team on Planetary Boundaries. She contributed significantly to the development of the Planetary Boundary framework, particularly in the areas of climate change, ocean acidification and biosphere integrity of the marine ecosystems. The focus of her research is on the role of biological processes and biodiversity for ocean functioning, as part of the global carbon cycle and the entire Earth system. Richardson’s interdisciplinary approach provided valuable insights into the boundaries and helped to integrate various scientific perspectives into the framework.
Will Steffen
Australian National University
Will Steffen was one of the spiritual fathers of the Planetary Boundary Framework. Steffen’s work focused on understanding the complex interactions within the Earth system and the impacts of human activities, which were critical in defining the boundaries and their thresholds. He provided the evidence of the “Great Acceleration” of the human enterprise on Earth from the 1950s, laying the foundation for the conclusion that we are now in the Anthropocene Epoch. Will Steffen passed away in January 2023.
Johan Rockström
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Johan Rockström has played a crucial role in conceptualizing and advocating for Planetary Boundaries Framework, ceaselessly highlighting the importance of defining safe operating spaces for humanity to avoid destabilizing the Earth system. His leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing together a diverse group of scientists to identify and quantify the Planetary Boundaries. Today, he leads the Planetary Boundary Science Initiative, and has overseen the production of its first annual Planetary Health Check.
Planetary Science Initiative
To scale our efforts globally and turn cutting‐edge science into real‐world impact, we are currently co‐creating the Planetary Boundaries Initiative (PBI) – a multi‐institutional platform that will track, assess, and help respond to the planetary risks identified in the Planetary Health Check. This is not just a project, but a growing community. We invite researchers, institutions, students, Indigenous knowledge holders, practitioners and other stakeholders to help shape the next generation of diagnostics, solutions, and narratives for the planetary crisis.
Planetary Boundaries Science
The Planetary Boundaries Science Lab at PIK is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding and quantification of Earth’s planetary boundaries. The lab integrates Earth system modeling, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration to assess how human activities are influencing key biophysical thresholds and to inform pathways for maintaining a safe operating space for humanity.
Read MorePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) is a leading center for interdisciplinary research on global environmental change, sustainability, and systems modeling. PIK scientists helped pioneer the Planetary Boundaries (PBs) framework, which identifies the Earth system thresholds that define a safe operating space for humanity. The institute continues to play a central role in updating and applying the PBs framework to guide global sustainability strategies.
Read MorePartners and Collaborators
Future Earth
Future Earth is a global research network that advances sustainability science by fostering collaboration across disciplines and regions. It supports research, innovation, and knowledge exchange to better understand global environmental change and to inform action for a stable and resilient Earth system.
GLOBAÏA
Globaïa is a non-profit organization that uses science-based storytelling and visualizations to illustrate the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems and human activities. Known for its striking global maps and animations, Globaïa’s work has been a cornerstone of the Planetary Health Check.
Planetary Guardians
The Planetary Guardians initiative brings together global leaders, scientists, and changemakers to champion the protection of Earth’s planetary boundaries. It aims to translate cutting-edge Earth system science into actionable leadership, fostering accountability and collective stewardship for maintaining a safe and just operating space for humanity.
