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Towards safe and just planetary boundaries for novel entities

delete2026-07-27
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PRE
AI
M
Miriam L. Diamond *
A
Anna Shalin
L
Lin S. Boynton
A
Andrew Hicks
M
Matthis H. Schäfer
M
Miguel van der Velden
S
Shengnan Wang
L
Lixi Wang
H
Huadong Xing
D
Derek C. G. Muir
A
Albert V. Norström
F
Fatima Denton
J
Johan Rockström
Z
Zhanyun Wang *
DOI:10.1038/s41893-026-01906-8delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The Planetary Boundaries framework shows that humanity is veering outside the conditions that safeguard the continued health and well-being of society. Setting safe and just limits for novel entities, specifically anthropogenic chemicals and materials, has been difficult because of their sheer number and diverse characteristics, hampering effective management. To inspire future work, we present a conceptual framework comprising three interconnected pillars, considering both well-known novel entities and ‘unknown knowns and known unknowns’. This framework is intended to assess boundaries and chart transformation pathways towards societal systems that benefit from novel entities while minimizing pressures on ecosystems and human health. The uncontrolled production and release of human-made substances, or novel entities, has substantial environmental consequences. Here the authors propose a framework for assessing the long-term safety and environmental impacts of these novel entities that accounts for their vast number, diversity and complex interactions.

Journal

Nature Sustainability cover
Nature Sustainability
IF:
27.1
Papers:
1.9K
Citations:
2.5W

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Cited Papers

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