‘Sick’ planet: Earth is past almost all of its safe limits for humans, scientists say

Earth has pushed past seven out of eight scientifically established safe limits for life, according to a new study.

We are now heading into “the danger zone,” not just for an overheating planet that's losing its natural areas, but for the well-being of people living on it. 

A team of more than 40 international scientists looked at guardrails for the planetary ecosystem. For the first time, the study includes measures of “justice,” which includes preventing harm to countries, ethnicities and genders.

The research was published by the international scientist group Earth Commission in Wednesday’s journal Nature. 

The eight limits the study looked at were climate, air pollution, phosphorus and nitrogen contamination of water from fertilizer overuse, groundwater supplies, fresh surface water, the unbuilt natural environment and the overall natural and human-built environment. 

Air pollution was the only planetary limit that wasn't quite at the global danger point but was instead dangerous at local and regional levels. 

Climate was beyond the harmful levels for humans in groups but not quite past the safety guideline for the planet as a system, the study from the Swedish group said.

Researchers found “hotspot” problem areas throughout Eastern Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa and much of Brazil, Mexico, China and some of the US West — much of it from climate change.

About two-thirds of Earth don’t meet the criteria for freshwater safety, scientists said as an example.

“We are in a danger zone for most of the Earth system boundaries,” said study co-author Kristie Ebi, a professor of climate and public health at the University of Washington.

If planet Earth just got an annual checkup, “our doctor would