Rockström

Johan Rockström is a Swedish climate scientist and professor known for co-leading the development of the planetary boundaries framework, a core contribution to resilience and sustainability science. His research centers on Earth system science, planetary stewardship, and the governance of global environmental change, with an emphasis on translating science into policy and action. Rockström has been affiliated with Stockholm University and the Stockholm Resilience Centre, where he has helped advance the study of how social and ecological systems interact at the planetary scale.

In 2009, Rockström and a team of international researchers published a landmark Nature paper introducing the planetary boundaries concept. The framework identifies key Earth-system processes and proposes quantitative threshold values that define a "safe operating space" for humanity. The original boundaries cover climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biogeochemical cycles (nitrogen and phosphorus), ocean acidification, stratospheric ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading, and chemical pollution (or novel entities). Subsequent work has refined and expanded the framework, including considerations of biosphere integrity and governance challenges.

Rockström's work has influenced global sustainability discussions, informing policy dialogues, international assessments, and resilience planning. He has advised governments, international organizations, and NGOs on climate policy, sustainable development, and resilience building, and he has authored and co-authored numerous scientific articles and books on Earth system science and planetary stewardship.