Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?00:54

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

31.1K
The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.
31.1K
Global Climate Change01:50

Global Climate Change

24.2K
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
24.2K
The Carbon Cycle01:14

The Carbon Cycle

37.0K
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
37.0K
Threats to Biodiversity01:50

Threats to Biodiversity

22.1K
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
22.1K
What is Climate?01:16

What is Climate?

18.4K
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
18.4K
The Water Cycle01:00

The Water Cycle

24.2K
The Earth’s hydrosphere includes all of the areas where the storage and movement of water occurs. Since water is the basis of all living processes, the cycling of water is extremely important to ecosystem dynamics.
24.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Totally implantable venous access port implantation in a breast cancer patient with situs inversus totalis: A case report.

The Journal of international medical research·2026
Same author

Phase-difference-driven imaging based on a dual-layer stacking liquid-crystal microlenses with different array scale and basic microhole-shaped electrode.

The Review of scientific instruments·2026
Same author

Steering open-source AI to accelerate the sustainable development goals.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Full vision adaptation in mixed-light conditions enabled by dynamic water adsorption/desorption.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Rethinking energy transition strategies for the European Union amid rising energy prices.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Construction of a chimeric multi-antigen fusion vaccine, EimeriaBig, and evaluation of immune response and protective effect in Eimeria necatrix.

Poultry science·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
06:10

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

Published on: March 31, 2023

890

Keeping the global consumption within the planetary boundaries.

Peipei Tian1, Honglin Zhong1, Xiangjie Chen2

  • 1Institute of Blue and Green Development, Shandong University, Weihai, China.

Nature
|November 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The top 20% of global consumers drive most environmental impacts, exceeding planetary boundaries. Shifting their consumption patterns could significantly reduce ecological pressure and restore Earth

More Related Videos

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.0K
Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
06:48

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves

Published on: May 10, 2020

3.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
06:10

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

Published on: March 31, 2023

890
Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.0K
Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
06:48

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves

Published on: May 10, 2020

3.5K

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecological Economics
  • Sustainability Studies

Background:

  • Global environmental impacts vary significantly between nations.
  • Attributing specific environmental responsibilities to consumption groups is complex.
  • Planetary boundaries represent critical ecological thresholds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution of environmental footprints across consumption groups globally.
  • To assess the impact of consumption expenditures on transgressing planetary boundaries.
  • To identify high-expenditure consumers as key actors in mitigation strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an expenditure database covering 201 consumption groups in 168 countries.
  • Analyzed 6 environmental footprint indicators.
  • Quantified the contribution of consumption to planetary boundary transgressions.

Main Results:

  • The top 10% and 20% of consumers account for 31-67% and 51-91% of planetary boundary transgressions, respectively.
  • Targeting the top 20% for consumption changes can reduce environmental pressure by 25-53%.
  • Focusing on food and services sectors within high-expenditure groups can address land-system change and biosphere integrity boundaries.

Conclusions:

  • High-expenditure consumers disproportionately contribute to environmental degradation.
  • Targeted consumption changes among the wealthiest individuals are crucial for mitigating planetary boundary transgressions.
  • Policy and individual actions should prioritize the consumption patterns of top consumers for effective environmental stewardship.