Planetary Boundaries

1. Climate change: The fundamental challenge

For the last 12,000 years, a stable climate has enabled civilisation to flourish. Our agricultural systems—including the Tasmanian merino farm we work with—depend on this equilibrium. The science is unequivocal: carbon emissions from fossil fuels disrupt this balance, triggering self-reinforcing cycles that risk becoming irreversible.

At Wide Open World, we take a direct approach to climate impact:

1. Protecting land – Economic expansion fuels greater energy demand. By focusing on biosphere integrity first, we ensure that consumption supports ecological stability rather than unchecked growth.
2. Supporting systemic decarbonisation – We drive real change by investing in technologies that reduce fossil fuel dependence, from national electricity grids to supply chain innovations.

2. Biosphere integrity: Protecting the web of life

Biodiversity loss is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. Land conversion and chemical pollution are driving what scientists call Earth’s sixth mass extinction. The biosphere requires adequate primary energy (solar energy stored in plants) and genetic diversity (differences between individuals of a species) to function.

Our response extends beyond minimising harm; we actively protect and restore habitats where we operate. In Tasmania, we support conservation efforts to protect native species like the spotted-tailed quoll, ensuring that luxury fashion contributes to ecological resilience rather than degradation.

3. Land-system change: Preserving critical ecosystems

Forests regulate biodiversity, freshwater availability, and global climate patterns
At Wide Open World, we partner with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy to safeguard native ecosystems in perpetuity. Our wool production carefully balances grazing with protected habitats, reinforcing our belief that true luxury operates in harmony with nature.

4. Freshwater change: Beyond metrics to meaningful management

Water scarcity threatens both human societies and ecosystems. Many brands focus on efficiency metrics (litres per kilogram of product), but we examine the entire hydrological system supporting our operations. The key issue isn’t litres per product—it’s the total volume extracted from vital water sources. We work with local water agencies to understand whether long-term hydrological balance is secure or if local actions are required. Ignorance is not bliss, it's a threat to society and business.

5. Biogeochemical flows: Respecting nature's balance

Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural fertilisers disrupt natural nutrient cycles, causing harmful algal blooms. Our sourcing prioritises extensive farms that maintain natural soil health. But beyond this, we advocate for regional water quality monitoring and transparent governance between businesses and regulators, which is an obligation of the APres sustainable business model.

6. Ocean acidification: Addressing systemic threats

Oceans absorb 30% of atmospheric carbon emissions. As emissions rise, seawater acidity increase. This triggers chemical reactions making oceans more acidic and dissolving the minerals marine organisms need for shells and skeletons, threatening entire marine ecosystems. This is yet another compelling reason to phase out fossil fuels entirely—no offsets, no loopholes.

7. Atmospheric aerosol loading: Clean air as a priority

Beyond their impact on human health, aerosols alter climate patterns by affecting cloud formation and sunlight distribution. While our manufacturing processes do not significantly contribute to aerosol pollution, we evaluate regional air quality throughout our supply chain on an annual basis.

8. Stratospheric ozone depletion: Learning from past interventions

The ozone layer shields Earth from harmful solar radiation. Chemical substances used in refrigerants and aerosols during the 60s-70s caused dangerous thinning of this protective shield. Though now banned by most countries, full recovery may take until 2100. The successful international response to ozone depletion—through the Montreal Protocol—demonstrates that coordinated action on planetary boundaries can work. While this boundary is now less urgent than others, it serves as a model for how businesses and governments can address planetary-scale challenges through responsible regulation.

9. Novel entities: Choosing clean materials by design

From microplastics to persistent chemicals, synthetic pollutants accumulate in Earth’s systems with often unpredictable consequences. Our commitment to biodegradable, non-toxic materials ensures that every product we create is designed to safely return to nature.

Understanding planetary boundaries isn’t just about avoiding catastrophe—it’s about reshaping the way industries operate. At Wide Open World, we translate these scientific principles into actionable business practices through Natropy’s APres model:

• Production volumes dictated by ecological capacity, not market demand
• Significant investment in habitat conservation and restoration
• Manufacturing designed to work within nature’s cycles
• Radical transparency about progress and challenges

This science-based approach is testament to our desire to restore balance, to reconcile the economy with the natural world.