Is there overshoot of planetary limits? New indicators of human appropriation of the global biogeochemical cycles relative to their regenerative capacity based on ‘ecotime’ analysis

摘要: Abstract The global biogeochemical cycles are recognised as extremely important processes operating within the Earth's (geo)biosphere. However, there currently few methods available through which we can understand and communicate humanity's dependence on these cycles. This paper presents a novel method, based input–output analysis, for deriving suite of indicators describing level at economy, its transformation useful resources (i.e. raw materials) into residuals wastes, pollutants, emissions), is appropriating processes. Furthermore, significant insight scale economic system gained by comparing rate human appropriation cycling with that biosphere's regenerative capacity. In order to calculate indicators, create new concept ‘ecotime’, defined average time matter held differing types environmental commodities (e.g. carbon dioxide, plants, fossil fuels) reach under consideration. Resources used economy generally have long ecotimes, while produced activities short ecotimes. Applying our method an extensive database encompassing key cycles, it found humans placing pressure