Final answer:
The prediction of a return period is constrained by the availability of historical data and the efficacy of the predictive models used. The mentioned rate of r≈0.028 leads to a 36-year timescale, relating directly to human and societal timescales for potential overshoot scenarios.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prediction of a return period is entirely limited by the available data and mathematical models used to forecast such events. When dealing with the concept of return periods, especially in relation to environmental or societal events, the analysis generally relies on historical data to extrapolate future occurrences.
The value of r, as given in the provided reference, suggests a rate of increase that corresponds to a timescale of about 36 years, indicating how long it might take to reach the limiting value or a point of potential overshoot. This rate is particularly relevant when considering the impact of such an overshoot on human lifetimes, generations, and societal change.