Path to Prosperity for Planet and People Requires Fairer Resource Management, New Report Warns

To secure a basic standard of living for all, Earth's resources must be better shared and managed, according to a new international study.

A new report by an international research team, including experts from The Australian National University (ANU), highlights the urgent need for transformative changes in how Earth's critical resources are managed and shared. Published in *The Lancet Planetary Health*, the report warns that without dramatic shifts in economic systems and technologies, the planet will struggle to support even a basic standard of living for everyone in the future.

The study, which builds on last year's *Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries* report, reveals that many of Earth's vital limits have already been exceeded. Distinguished Professor Xuemei Bai from ANU, a lead author of the report, emphasizes the crucial role that cities and businesses can play. "Companies and cities have the potential to significantly reduce their environmental impact if they align their goals with science-based targets," Bai says.

The report identifies that Earth's capacity to sustain life is being stretched to its limits. To avoid catastrophic climate deterioration by 2050, the research advocates for urgent economic and technological transformations. Key recommendations include improved resource management, reducing inequality in resource access, and investing in sustainable technologies.

Professor Stuart Bunn of Griffith University, co-leader of a working group on freshwater and nutrient pollution, highlights the need for coordinated efforts across sectors. "Efficient management and equitable sharing of resources are essential to maintaining a safe and just space for all," Bunn explains.

The report underscores that immediate and collaborative actions are crucial to prevent crossing dangerous environmental tipping points and ensure long-term global prosperity.