WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, HEIKENWAELDER
Many leading science networks argue today that human activities are moving several of Earth’s sub-systems, such as the climate, outside the range of natural variability, and that human societies must change course and steer away from critical tipping points that may lead to, if surpassed, fundamental changes in ocean currents or weather patterns. It is widely agreed that this requires fundamental restructuring of national and international institutions toward more effective planetary stewardship and earth system governance—global and local guidelines for preventing and mitigating environmental change and encouraging sustainable development. Business as usual is not an option.
Governments will meet this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. This is largest diplomatic gathering in this field in the last ...
