In a groundbreaking report, 200 scientists warn that current global warming levels risk triggering at least five tipping points, leading to devastating and irreversible impacts. The identified tipping points include the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets, warm-water coral reefs, North Atlantic subpolar gyre circulation, and permafrost regions.
The report, titled “The Global Tipping Points Report” and coordinated by the University of Exeter, criticizes current global governance as inadequate for addressing the scale of the climate crisis. The findings come amid the ongoing UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, where nations face pressure to accelerate action on global warming.
According to the report, three additional tipping points are threatened in the 2030s if global warming exceeds 1.5°C. The world currently stands at approximately 1.15°C warmer than pre-industrial levels. Notably, the tipping points for the ice sheets of Greenland and West Antarctica may have already been breached.
Lead author Tim Lenton warns that these tipping points could result in “devastating domino effects,” leading to mass displacement, political instability, and financial collapse. The report underscores the urgency of coordinated action, calling for bold policies across energy, transport, and food sectors.
As the UN Climate Conference continues, the report urges the inclusion of tipping points in the Global Stocktake. A phase-out of fossil fuels and land-use emissions before 2050 is recommended, emphasizing the need for equitable solutions to address the global climate crisis.
