The Earth has four main systems (or spheres), with no hard boundaries between them—with overlap and interactions among them. A change in one of the systems almost always results in a change in—or some kind of effect on—at least one of the other systems.

These spheres (systems) naturally and constantly interact through continuous cycles to maintain environmental balance. Just as the various systems inside the human body circulate blood, process food, or transport oxygen and nutrients among themselves, so do the spheres of the Earth transport and exchange energy and matter among themselves. Hence, the Earth is a living entity … just like the human body.

When these natural cycles are disrupted by human‑caused events—such as oil spill or air pollution—the Earth System is triggered to deter from its natural ways of maintaining environmental balance. And yet, not only occasional unique events can cause such harm, but equally (or even more significantly), damaging activities carried out persistently for extended periods result in changes in the Earth’s ability to function naturally. The Earth’s ability to handle such unnatural and harmful events and long‑term practices is not infinite—just like the human body’s ability to tolerate harm is not infinite, either. At some point, there is a breaking point … for both the human body, and for the Earth … unless we nourish its health instead of causing harm.