9 September 2022, Science Journal: Exceeding 1.5°C global warming could trigger multiple climate tipping points. Climate tipping points are conditions beyond which changes in a part of the climate system become self-perpetuating. These changes may lead to abrupt, irreversible, and dangerous impacts with serious implications for humanity. Armstrong McKay et al. present an updated assessment of the most important climate tipping elements and their potential tipping points, including their temperature thresholds, time scales, and impacts. Their analysis indicates that even global warming of 1°C, a threshold that we already have passed, puts us at risk by triggering some tipping points. This finding provides a compelling reason to limit additional warming as much as possible… Our assessment provides strong scientific evidence for urgent action to mitigate climate change. We show that even the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to well below 2°C and preferably 1.5°C is not safe as 1.5°C and above risks crossing multiple tipping points. Crossing these CTPs can generate positive feedbacks that increase the likelihood of crossing other CTPs. Currently the world is heading toward ~2 to 3°C of global warming; at best, if all net-zero pledges and nationally determined contributions are implemented it could reach just below 2°C. This would lower tipping point risks somewhat but would still be dangerous as it could trigger multiple climate tipping points. Read more here.
Tag Archives: oceans
7 June 2022, The Conversation: A huge Atlantic ocean current is slowing down. If it collapses, La Niña could become the norm for Australia. Climate change is slowing down the conveyor belt of ocean currents that brings warm water from the tropics up … Continue reading →
11 May 2022, The Guardian: ‘Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022. Coral bleaching affected 91% of reefs surveyed along the Great Barrier Reef this year, according to a report by government scientists that … Continue reading →
11 May 2022, The Guardian: ‘Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022. Coral bleaching affected 91% of reefs surveyed along the Great Barrier Reef this year, according to a report by government scientists that … Continue reading →
