Climate tipping points being crossed, scientists warn
Global warming exceeds dangerous thresholds sooner than expected; the world’s coral reefs are now heading towards near-irreversible extinction; This marks what scientists describe as the first “tipping point” in climate-induced ecosystem collapse.
The warning in the Global Tipping Points report from 160 researchers who synthesized groundbreaking science to predict points of no return comes ahead of this year’s COP30 climate summit, the annual meeting of nations tackling human-caused climate change, held in November on the edge of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
The report states that the estimated threshold value for the Amazon has been revised, and that the same rainforest system is at risk of collapse if the average global temperature rises above just 1.5 degrees Celsius, based on deforestation rates.
Also of concern is the threat of disruption of a major ocean current called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, that helps ensure mild winters in Northern Europe if temperatures continue to rise.
“Change in the climate and parts of the biosphere is now happening tragically quickly,” said environmental scientist Tim Lenton of the University of Exeter, lead author of the report.
Lenton noted positive signs for phasing out fossil fuels, which are most responsible for climate change.
For example, renewable energy produced more electricity than coal for the first time this year, according to data from nonprofit think tank Ember.
“Nobody wants to be traumatized and disempowered,” Lenton said.
“We still have agency.”
Scientists implored countries at COP30 to work to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions.
With average global temperatures already warming by 1.3 to 1.4C above the pre-industrial average, according to data from the UN and EU science organisations, scientists have been surprised at how quickly changes are occurring in nature.
The past two years have been the world’s hottest on record, with marine heatwaves straining 84 percent of the world’s reefs to the point of bleaching and, in some cases, death. Coral reefs support approximately a quarter of marine life.
For corals to recover, the world must massively step up climate action to return temperatures to just one degree above the pre-industrial average, scientists have suggested.
“The new report makes clear that there is an increase every year in the scope and magnitude of the negative impacts of climate change,” said Pep Canadell, senior scientist at Australia’s CSIRO Center for Climate Science.
The world is currently on track for about 3.1 degrees of warming this century, according to national policies.
