Sapiens Scientia · Planetary Vital Signs

The Earth's Vital Signs

A patient is read through their vital signs; so is a planet. These are indicators of the one Earth system human civilization is embedded in — shown through dated reference values, historical series, and illustrative projections toward 2050.

16 indicators5 domains1970–2050People → the planet

Reading the chart

Each card shows a dated reference value or a fetched source update. The solid line connects curated historical reference points; the dashed line shows an illustrative projection. An outlined point marks a fetched observation, which may use a different period or source from the reference series. Open “View chart data” to read every plotted value. Filter by domain, or compare changes within each reference series.

Projections are for orientation, not formal forecasts. Source updates do not recalculate them. The same dataset annotates the Earth model in Meta Earth.

Checking public sources for updates… Reference values are available below. Observation dates differ by source; these are not real-time measurements.

16 indicators shown

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Human & Economy

Macrosystems — the people, economy, and energy that together drive every other line on this page.

Human Population

Human & Economy

Rising

8.19B est.

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Human Population — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	3.7 B	Reference
1980	4.4 B	Reference
1990	5.3 B	Reference
2000	6.1 B	Reference
2010	6.9 B	Reference
2020	7.8 B	Reference
2026	8.19 B	Reference
2030	8.5 B	Projection
2040	9.2 B	Projection
2050	9.7 B	Projection

Reference source: U.S. Census Bureau. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 3.7B (1970) → 8.19B (2026) · ~9.7B by 2050

Modeled world population estimate from the U.S. Census population clock.

PeopleHomo sapiens

U.S. Census Bureau Jun 2026

Global Oil Stock

Human & Economy

Rising

49% used

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Global Oil Stock — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	10 % used	Reference
1980	18 % used	Reference
1990	25 % used	Reference
2000	32 % used	Reference
2010	39 % used	Reference
2020	46 % used	Reference
2025	49 % used	Reference
2030	52 % used	Projection
2040	58 % used	Projection
2050	64 % used	Projection

Reference source: Worldometer / OilPrice. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 10 (1970) → 49 (2025) · ~64 by 2050

Approximate cumulative oil consumed vs. proved reserves remaining; excludes unproved resources.

Fossil FuelsEnergy Generation SystemTransportation, Pipes, & Cables

Worldometer / OilPrice 2025 est.

Global GDP

Human & Economy

Rising

$118T

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Global GDP — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	$3.4T	Reference
1980	$11.2T	Reference
1990	$22.8T	Reference
2000	$33.8T	Reference
2010	$66.1T	Reference
2020	$85.2T	Reference
2025	$118T	Reference
2030	$140T	Projection
2040	$190T	Projection
2050	$250T	Projection

Reference source: IMF WEO. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: $3.4T (1970) → $118T (2025) · ~$250T by 2050

Nominal world GDP at current prices; not adjusted for purchasing power or inflation.

Economic SystemFinancial SystemBusiness & Industrial System

IMF WEO 2025 est.

Primary Energy Use

Human & Economy

Rising

592 EJ

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Primary Energy Use — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	230 EJ	Reference
1980	290 EJ	Reference
1990	360 EJ	Reference
2000	420 EJ	Reference
2010	520 EJ	Reference
2020	560 EJ	Reference
2024	592 EJ	Reference
2030	630 EJ	Projection
2040	680 EJ	Projection
2050	720 EJ	Projection

Reference source: Energy Institute. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 230EJ (1970) → 592EJ (2024) · ~720EJ by 2050

Global primary energy consumption; fossil fuels account for nearly 87% of the total.

Energy Generation SystemFossil FuelsEconomic SystemTechnology

Energy Institute 2024

Atmosphere & Climate

Megasystems — the composition of the air and the climate it forces.

Global Temperature

Atmosphere & Climate

Rising

+1.19 C

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Global Temperature — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	0.03 °C	Reference
1980	0.26 °C	Reference
1990	0.45 °C	Reference
2000	0.4 °C	Reference
2010	0.72 °C	Reference
2020	1.02 °C	Reference
2025	1.19 °C	Reference
2030	1.35 °C	Projection
2040	1.6 °C	Projection
2050	1.85 °C	Projection

Reference source: NASA GISS. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 0.03°C (1970) → 1.19°C (2025) · ~1.85°C by 2050

2025 annual anomaly vs. NASA's 1951-1980 baseline.

AtmosphereClimate System

NASA GISS 2025 annual

Atmospheric CO2

Atmosphere & Climate

Rising

431 ppm

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Atmospheric CO2 — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	325 ppm	Reference
1980	338 ppm	Reference
1990	354 ppm	Reference
2000	369 ppm	Reference
2010	389 ppm	Reference
2020	414 ppm	Reference
2026	431 ppm	Reference
2030	442 ppm	Projection
2040	470 ppm	Projection
2050	495 ppm	Projection

Reference source: NASA / NOAA. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 325ppm (1970) → 431ppm (2026) · ~495ppm by 2050

Latest monthly Mauna Loa measurement shown by NASA.

AtmosphereClimate SystemFossil Fuels

NASA / NOAA Apr 2026

Atmospheric Methane

Atmosphere & Climate

Rising

1,940 ppb

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Atmospheric Methane — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1980	1,580 ppb	Reference
1990	1,720 ppb	Reference
2000	1,775 ppb	Reference
2010	1,800 ppb	Reference
2020	1,880 ppb	Reference
2026	1,940 ppb	Reference
2030	1,980 ppb	Projection
2040	2,050 ppb	Projection
2050	2,100 ppb	Projection

Reference source: NASA / NOAA. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 1580ppb (1980) → 1940ppb (2026) · ~2100ppb by 2050

Heat-trapping gas measured from NOAA's global network.

AtmosphereClimate SystemAgricultural Systems

NASA / NOAA Jan 2026

Ocean & Ice

Megasystems — the hydrosphere, from deep-ocean heat to vanishing polar ice.

Ocean Heat

Ocean & Ice

Rising

372 +/- 2 ZJ

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Ocean Heat — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	20 ZJ	Reference
1980	60 ZJ	Reference
1990	110 ZJ	Reference
2000	180 ZJ	Reference
2010	260 ZJ	Reference
2020	340 ZJ	Reference
2024	372 ZJ	Reference
2030	420 ZJ	Projection
2040	510 ZJ	Projection
2050	600 ZJ	Projection

Reference source: NASA / NOAA. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 20ZJ (1970) → 372ZJ (2024) · ~600ZJ by 2050

Upper-ocean heat content change since 1955.

HydrosphereClimate System

NASA / NOAA Dec 2024

Sea Level

Ocean & Ice

Rising

+0.08 cm

Chart: Sea level relative to 1993 (cm)

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Sea Level: Sea level relative to 1993 (cm) — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1993	0 cm	Reference
2000	2.2 cm	Reference
2010	5.5 cm	Reference
2020	9.3 cm	Reference
2025	11.2 cm	Reference
2030	14 cm	Projection
2040	20 cm	Projection
2050	27 cm	Projection

Reference source: NASA JPL. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 0cm (1993) → 11.2cm (2025) · ~27cm by 2050

Global mean sea level rise during 2025.

HydrosphereClimate System

NASA JPL 2025

Arctic Sea Ice

Ocean & Ice

Falling

-12.2% / decade

Chart: September minimum extent (million km²)

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Arctic Sea Ice: September minimum extent (million km²) — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1980	7.8 M km²	Reference
1990	6.2 M km²	Reference
2000	6.3 M km²	Reference
2010	4.9 M km²	Reference
2020	3.9 M km²	Reference
2024	4.2 M km²	Reference
2030	3.2 M km²	Projection
2040	2 M km²	Projection
2050	1 M km²	Projection

Reference source: NASA / NSIDC. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 7.8 (1980) → 4.2 (2024) · ~1 by 2050

September minimum extent trend vs. the 1981-2010 average.

HydrosphereClimate System

NASA / NSIDC Annual series

Land, Water & Life

Megasystems — soils, freshwater, forests, and the living biosphere.

Freshwater Withdrawals

Land, Water & Life

Falling

72% ag.

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Freshwater Withdrawals — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	78 % ag	Reference
1980	76 % ag	Reference
1990	74 % ag	Reference
2000	73 % ag	Reference
2010	72 % ag	Reference
2020	72 % ag	Reference
2024	72 % ag	Reference
2030	71 % ag	Projection
2040	69 % ag	Projection
2050	67 % ag	Projection

Reference source: UN-Water. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 78% ag (1970) → 72% ag (2024) · ~67% ag by 2050

Share of global freshwater withdrawals used by agriculture.

FreshwaterAgricultural SystemsPeopleEcosystems

UN-Water 2024 report

Land Degradation

Land, Water & Life

Rising

up to 40%

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Land Degradation — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
2000	20 % deg.	Reference
2010	28 % deg.	Reference
2020	36 % deg.	Reference
2025	40 % deg.	Reference
2030	45 % deg.	Projection
2040	52 % deg.	Projection
2050	60 % deg.	Projection

Reference source: United Nations. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 20 (2000) → 40 (2025) · ~60 by 2050

Estimated share of the world's land surface degraded by human activity.

Soil SystemAgricultural SystemsEcosystemsBiosphere

United Nations UN estimate

Tropical Primary Forest

Land, Water & Life

Rising

6.7M ha lost

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Tropical Primary Forest — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
2015	3.5 M ha	Reference
2016	4.8 M ha	Reference
2017	4.6 M ha	Reference
2018	3.6 M ha	Reference
2019	3.8 M ha	Reference
2020	4.2 M ha	Reference
2021	3.75 M ha	Reference
2022	4.1 M ha	Reference
2023	3.7 M ha	Reference
2024	6.7 M ha	Reference
2025	6.2 M ha	Projection
2030	5 M ha	Projection
2040	3.5 M ha	Projection
2050	2 M ha	Projection

Reference source: Global Forest Watch / WRI. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 3.5M ha (2015) → 6.7M ha (2024) · ~2M ha by 2050

Record tropical primary rainforest loss in 2024.

EcosystemsBiosphereAgricultural Systems

Global Forest Watch / WRI 2024

Wildlife Populations

Land, Water & Life

Falling

-73%

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Wildlife Populations — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	0 %	Reference
1980	-15 %	Reference
1990	-35 %	Reference
2000	-50 %	Reference
2010	-62 %	Reference
2020	-73 %	Reference
2030	-78 %	Projection
2040	-82 %	Projection
2050	-85 %	Projection

Reference source: WWF / ZSL. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 0% (1970) → -73% (2020) · ~-85% by 2050

Average change in monitored vertebrate populations, 1970-2020.

EcosystemsBiosphereMulticellular Life FormsMammals

WWF / ZSL 2024 report

Waste & Pollution

Anthropogenic waste flowing back into the Earth systems that absorb it.

Municipal Waste

Waste & Pollution

Rising

2.1B t/yr

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Municipal Waste — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
2000	1.2 B t/yr	Reference
2010	1.6 B t/yr	Reference
2020	2 B t/yr	Reference
2023	2.1 B t/yr	Reference
2030	2.5 B t/yr	Projection
2040	3.1 B t/yr	Projection
2050	3.8 B t/yr	Projection

Reference source: UNEP. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 1.2 (2000) → 2.1 (2023) · ~3.8 by 2050

Global municipal solid waste generation, projected to rise to 3.8B tonnes by 2050.

Anthropogenic WasteWaste Management SystemPeopleEconomic System

UNEP 2023

Plastic Waste

Waste & Pollution

Rising

353M t/yr

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Solid line: curated reference series. Dashed line: illustrative projection, not a forecast.

Plastic Waste — reference, projection and source values
Period	Value	Series
1970	30 M t/yr	Reference
1980	60 M t/yr	Reference
1990	110 M t/yr	Reference
2000	190 M t/yr	Reference
2010	290 M t/yr	Reference
2019	353 M t/yr	Reference
2030	460 M t/yr	Projection
2040	620 M t/yr	Projection
2050	800 M t/yr	Projection

Reference source: OECD. Values are curated, rounded reference points rather than a complete source dataset.

Reference series: 30 (1970) → 353 (2019) · ~800 by 2050

Global plastic waste generated in 2019; plastics production reached 460M tonnes.

Anthropogenic WasteWaste Management SystemBusiness & Industrial System

OECD 2019

Every line sits on the ladder

These indicators are not free-floating statistics. Each one reads a specific rung of the nested-systems hierarchy — the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, the human economy — that Sapiens Scientia is built around.

See the Ladder of Scale Explore Terra — the Earth platform

U.S. Census Bureau Worldometer / OilPrice IMF WEO Energy Institute UN-Water UNEP OECD United Nations NASA GISS NASA / NOAA NASA / NOAA NASA / NOAA NASA JPL NASA / NSIDC Global Forest Watch / WRI WWF / ZSL