When it comes to environmental problems, they’re all covered in one scientific framework: The 9 Planetary Boundaries. If you know more about that framework, you know what challenges the environment is facing and what the limits of the planet are. And if you know the planet’s limits, you know the way forward when it comes to solving these problems. From the 9 Planetary Boundaries, I have already explained two more elaborately: Climate Change and Ocean Acidification. Even without knowing those phenomenons, you might be able to imagine what they are. But today I’m explaining a more vague planetary boundary: The Planetary Boundary Novel Entities.
The 9 Planetary Boundaries
Before I say more about the planetary boundary novel entities, I want to quickly summarize the 9 planetary boundaries once again.The planetary boundaries is a framework to show the safe operating space of humans on planet earth. It literally shows how far we as humans can go without disrupting the earth, on all fronts. The framework was created by Rockstöm et al. There are 9 planetary boundaries defined. So, on 9 different fronts we humans have a boundary as to what we can do or use. If we stay within the 9 planetary boundaries, we have a sustainable future for all humans and other living beings.
One of those boundaries is novel entities. I included a picture below and as you can see, novel entities is on the top right, next to climate change. It’s important to remember that this is one out of nine boundaries. Tackling novel entities is a big challenge taking probably decades. But if tackle novel entities, meaning we bring it back to within the boundary (the dotted circle), we’re not entirely done yet. We still have 8 other boundaries to keep an eye on.
The Planetary Boundary Novel Entities
So, what does it mean: Novel Entities? When we speak about novel entities, we speak of new things (vague, I know, I’ll come to that) that the human race has brought onto our planet. Without humans, these things would not have existed. These new ‘things’ are categorized into three groups: 1. Chemicals and substances, 2. Radioactive materials and 3. Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and other ways in which humans have interfered with evolution. So, how do we measure those?
Well, this planetary boundary is hard to measure and has only one element to set its boundary. The boundary is that 0% of the amount of synthetics that’s been released into the Earth’s system can be untested. So basically, whenever we humans create any sort of new substance, it has to be thoroughly tested and we have to be 100% certain that the synthetic does not have any harmful consequences. The substance also has to be monitored. During the latest evaluation of the boundary (in 2023), it was impossible to know on a global scale how many untested synthetics have been released into the Earth’s system. Therefore, a good indication is used, from the EU REACH program. This program indicates that at about 80% of chemicals used are untested. That’s why the boundary is so red, it’s the boundary that’s been crossed the furthest.
Cocktail effects
Maybe you think this planetary boundary for novel entities is quite strict, the boundary is 0%. However, I think it’s not strict enough when it’s framed this way. That’s because cocktails effects are left out this way. Individual substances or chemicals might be tested and safe, but that doesn’t say anything about a mix of them. Personally, I would therefore go even further and say that whenever a new chemical is brought onto the market, it should also be tested in a mixture with the already existing chemicals that are considered safe.
I can understand that this boundary is crossed at the moment, because testing new chemicals and substances can take decades. I mean, when a new chemical is added to the Earth’s system, I would want to know what it does to the planet and my personal health in 80 years as well. And it should also be tested in different uses and environments. In the current capitalistic system we live in, I see why we’re not staying within the planetary boundary.
Solutions
You know that I’m all for talking about solutions. And if you’ve read more of my articles you also know that I’m a fan of putting responsibility at every party. It’s not only businesses who need to change, consumers and governments can do something too. If we all do something, we’re fixing the problem fastest. However! With this specific planetary boundary I have a different opinion than I usually do. That’s because I think there’s a leading role for government in this case. Global legislation on new chemicals and substances is the base we need here. And good governmental supervision too.
If you’re into the subject of chemicals as a consumer, you can try to avoid chemical substances which have not been tested (thoroughly enough). And also, you can try to push governments into making better laws for novel entities. But I think this is extremely difficult, even for someone like me who goes quite far sustainability-wise. I mean, eating plant-based or switching to green energy is one thing and I would say that’s easy for most people. But doing good scientific research into harmful chemicals is not. Therefore, it should not be up to consumers to cut out these chemicals. Governments should be the gatekeepers here and make sure that all novel entities are tested and safe.
For the first time ever, I think you as a consumer can’t do much. But at least now you know more about the Planetary Boundary Novel Entities.
Yours sincerely,
Romee
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