The planetary commons: A new paradigm for safeguarding Earth-regulating systems in the Anthropocene.

The Anthropocene signifies the start of a no-analogue trajectory of the Earth system that is fundamentally different from the Holocene. This new trajectory is characterized by rising risks of triggering irreversible and unmanageable shifts in Earth system functioning. We urgently need a new global approach to safeguard critical Earth system regulating functions more effectively and comprehensively. The global commons framework is the closest example of an existing approach with the aim of governing biophysical systems on Earth upon which the world collectively depends. Derived during stable Holocene conditions, the global commons framework must now evolve in the light of new Anthropocene dynamics. This requires a fundamental shift from a focus only on governing shared resources beyond national jurisdiction, to one that secures critical functions of the Earth system irrespective of national boundaries. We propose a new framework-the planetary commons-which differs from the global commons framework by including not only globally shared geographic regions but also critical biophysical systems that regulate the resilience and state, and therefore livability, on Earth. The new planetary commons should articulate and create comprehensive stewardship obligations through Earth system governance aimed at restoring and strengthening planetary resilience and justice.

The price of good welfare: Does informing consumers about what on-package labels mean for animal welfare influence their purchase intentions?

Public concern for farm animal welfare is growing. However, high welfare purchases require consumers to make sense of often confusing labels. This study aims to investigate consumers' preferences for higher welfare products with on-package animal welfare labels and to explore whether providing consumers with detailed information about the welfare conditions behind on-package animal welfare labels could have a positive influence on farm animal welfare. The survey was conducted online and involved participants (N = 1612) being randomly assigned into one of two-treatment groups: (1) an animal welfare label and (2) an animal welfare label with details about the welfare standards signified by that label. Participants were asked their intentions to purchase products with varying animal welfare labels. Participants were also surveyed with an adapted version of the Animal Attitude Scale that measured pro-welfare attitudes, resulting in an Animal Empathy Score (AES), a series of demographics questions, and to rate the welfare of pigs, chickens and laying hens in Australian food production. The results revealed that the provision of additional information significantly increased intention to purchase higher than conventional welfare products. The empathy measures revealed that younger participants, females and those with lower household incomes all had significantly higher AES. Moreover, AES was associated with intent to purchase higher welfare products. No interaction terms were significant, suggesting that the positive influence of information on purchase intentions is not dependent on participants' pro-welfare attitudes. Given animal welfare is market-driven in countries such as Australia, the findings suggest that providing farm animal welfare information at the point-of-purchase could boost appreciation and demand for higher than conventional welfare products.

A conceptual framework for climate change, health and wellbeing in NSW, Australia.

Changes in natural hazards related to climate change are evident in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and are projected to become more frequent and intense. The impacts of climate change may adversely affect health and wellbeing, directly via extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms and floods, and indirectly via impacts on food security, air and water quality, and other environmental amenities. The NSW Government's Climate Change Policy Framework recognises the need to reduce the effects of climate change on health and wellbeing. A conceptual framework can support the aims and objectives of the policy framework by depicting the effects of climate change on health, and individual and social wellbeing, and areas for policy actions and responses. A proposed conceptual framework has been developed, modelled on the Driving force, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect and Action (DPSEEA) framework of the World Health Organization - a framework which shows the link between exposures and health effects as well as entry points for interventions. The proposed framework presented in this paper was developed in consultation with researchers and policy makers. The framework is guiding current research examining vulnerabilities to climate change and the effects of a range of exposures on health and wellbeing.