Many of us consider our species, the human beings, as very intelligent, because we achieved a significant influence on the planet we live on. We subdued other living beings and we manipulate our planet as we see it fit. But how does the world status really look like if we have a look at some essential aspects of human life?
The fast majority of all human beings live in very harsh conditions and are struggling for survival: They 1. live in a conflict zone, 2. have been displaced, 3. lack safe drinking water, 4. face hunger, 5. breathe toxic air, 6. lack safe sanitation and/or 7. are vulnerable to climate change. While the struggle for survival affects mostly people in poorer countries, people in wealthier countries are struggling more with heavy 8. physical and 9. mental disorders.
The Planetary Boundaries (PBs) framework analyses and monitors the nine PB processes and systems that scientifically are proven to regulate the health of our planet. Each of these processes is currently quantified by one or two different control variables. The 2024 Planetary Health Check report reveals that six out of nine PB processes have breached the safe PB levels, with all six showing trends of increasing pressure in all control variables, suggesting further boundary transgression in the near future.
Total global military expenditure reached $2443 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. This was the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009. The 10 largest spenders in 2023—led by the United States, China and Russia—all increased their military spending, according to new data on global military spending published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), available at www.sipri.org.
Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. WHO data show that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.