VOA科学技术2023--Study: Earth Outside ‘Safe Operating Space for Humanity’

Study: Earth Outside ‘Safe Operating Space for Humanity¹’

A new study from international researchers says that Earth is outside of its "safe operating space for humanity" in six of nine measures of its health. The study added that two of the remaining three measures are moving in the wrong direction.

The international scientists published the study in Science Advances. They said Earth's climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient² pollution, and human-made compounds are outside of "safe operating space for humanity."

The scientists said only the acidity³ of the oceans, the health of the air, and the ozone⁴ layer are within limits considered to be safe.

The ozone layer is mainly high in the atmosphere and prevents dangerous solar radiation from reaching the surface of the Earth.

But the study warned that both the ocean and air pollution are moving in the wrong direction.

Johan Rockstrom is a climate scientist who helped write the study. He is director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. He said, "We are in very bad shape." He compared the Earth to a weakening, sick patient.

In 2009, Rockstrom and other researchers created nine "boundary areas" and used measurements of them to judge Earth's health. The latest study continued research from a similar one in 2015. The latest study added a sixth area to the unsafe listing.

Rockstrom said the Earth's water went from being safe to being "out-of-bounds." The scientists said this was because of river run-off. They said better measurements and understanding of the issue had shown there was a problem.

Rockstrom said these boundaries would decide the future of the planet. He added the nine measures have been "scientifically well established" by other studies. If Earth can manage these nine measures, Earth could be more-or-less safe. But it is not, he said.

The nine measures were compared with each other in different ways. The team used computer simulations to predict the future. They would, for example, make predictions based on increases in the average temperature of the Earth. The team found, if one area was affected⁶ badly by a temperature change then all areas were affected badly. The team also found that if one area improved, all areas improved.

The scientists said the simulations showed that one of the most powerful ways to help the climate is to clean up land and to save forests. Returning forests to the late 20th century levels would provide natural areas to store carbon dioxide instead of in the air, where it traps heat, the study said.

Rockstrom added that biodiversity is in the most troubling area but does not get as much attention.

However, the study said the ozone layer is improving. This shows that when the world and its leaders decide to deal with a problem, it can be fixed⁷.

Neil Donahue is a Carnegie Mellon chemistry and environment professor. He said, "for the most part there are things that we know how to do" to improve the remaining problems.

Some biodiversity scientists, like Duke University's Stuart Pimm, have disputed Rockstrom's methods, saying they are not worth much.

Granger Morgan is a Carnegie Mellon environmental engineering professor and was not part of the study. He said, "Experts don't agree on exactly where the limits are, or how much the planet's different systems may interact⁸, but we are getting dangerously close."

Morgan said he has often said if we do not cut back on how we are harming the Earth, "we're toast." He added, "This paper says it's more likely that we're burnt toast."

Words in This Story

boundary –n. an area where something ends, and another begins

out-of-bounds –adj. an area that is outside the place where a game is played

biodiversity – n. the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment

manage – v. to keep (something) under your control

simulation⁵ – n. something that is made to look, feel, or behave like something else especially so that it can be studied or used to train people

interact – v. to come together and have an effect on each other

be toast – idiom to be in a lot of trouble

toast – n. bread that has been sliced and then made crisp and brown by heat

1 humanity   

n.人类，[总称]人(性)，人道[pl.]人文学科

参考例句：

• Such an act is a disgrace to humanity.这种行为是人类的耻辱。
• We should treat animals with humanity.我们应该以仁慈之心对待动物。

2 nutrient   

adj.营养的，滋养的；n.营养物，营养品

参考例句：

• Magnesium is the nutrient element in plant growth.镁是植物生长的营养要素。
• The roots transmit moisture and nutrient to the trunk and branches.根将水分和养料输送到干和枝。

3 acidity   

n.酸度，酸性

参考例句：

• This plant prefers alkaline soil,though it will readily tolerate some acidity.这种植物在酸性土壤中也能生存，但硷性土壤更加适宜。
• Gastric acidity would not prevent the organism from passing into the gut.胃的酸度不能防止细菌进入肠道。

4 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。

5 simulation   

n.模拟

参考例句：

• To make the training realistic the simulation operates in real time . 为使训练真实，模拟是实时运行的。
• a computer simulation of how the planet functions 行星活动方式的计算机模拟

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

8 interact   

vi.相互作用，相互影响，互通信息

参考例句：

• All things are interrelated and interact on each other.一切事物互相联系并相互作用。
• The policeman advised the criminal to interact with the police.警察劝罪犯与警方合作。