Man-made substances surround us everywhere in our daily lives. According to the current understanding of the “Planetary Boundaries” framework, the carrying capacity for so-called novel entities—which include chemicals, microplastics, and nanomaterials—is considered to have been exceeded, and a target value of “zero” has been set for their release into the environment. Now, an international consortium of interdisciplinary experts led by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has concluded that this zero limit is unattainable and impractical, as human societies depend on the services these substances provide. In a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, they propose the introduction of adjusted target values supported by global monitoring that allow for safe use of novel entities while protecting people and the environment.

The cost of reaching orbit is now falling faster than that of steamship freight during the 1800s, a shift that economists say will once again transform global commerce.