Seven of nine boundaries are breached, as ocean acidification was added this year, alongside climate change, biodiversity loss, land-use change, freshwater stress, nutrient overload and chemical pollution. Ecological footprints measure the different sources and impacts of climate change on nation-states and world income groups. Each of these three scientific frameworks used to study climate change and environmental degradation can communicate research findings and stimulate mitigating action. Such visual images make for more effective communication of climate change as a growing crisis. Convincing people in the richer states and income groups to take such lifestyle hits is difficult; for some, denialism is a convenient response.

Source: The Irish Times January 03, 2026 13:46 UTC