Breaking Through the Limits to Growth

Abstract

Modern humanity faces fundamental constraints on growth and sustainability, as evidenced by Limits to Growth models and Planetary Boundaries frameworks. Here we extend these paradigms by integrating disciplines—materials science, artificial intelligence, planetary science, and ethics—into a unified circular economy model spanning Earth and beyond. We examine closed-loop systems, from Biosphere 2 analogues to in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for lunar and Martian bases, leveraging AI-driven exploration and autonomous robotics for efficient resource extraction and metamaterial synthesis. Techno-economic evaluations illustrate pathways to reduce environmental impact and ensure resource regeneration across scales. We provide actionable metrics—including material-flow performance, energy balances, and life-cycle costs—and outline governance frameworks aligned with UN SDGs. This Original Research article offers scholars and practitioners a blueprint for transcending limits to growth through resilient, closed-loop systems on Earth and in space.

Keywords: sustainability, space mining, planetary boundaries, circular economy, closed-loop systems, resource management, space exploration, interdisciplinary synthesis