Towards safe and just planetary boundaries for novel entities
摘要
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.