Is Earth close to its doom day? Study reveals hints of multiple climate tipping points

The global policies in today’s world are likely to trigger multiple climate "tipping points" on Earth, according to a latest study. The direction that leads to tipping points will stay the same if the climate destruction continues to remain on its current course.

These irreversible changes in the planet’s systems are a result of specific moments when the Earth warms up due to various reasons, USA Today reported.

Decoding the study on Earth’s climate

As part of their research, the scientists conducted an analysis of the risk of “tipping” across 16 different parts of the planet's system. Some major red flags or risks include the melting of major ice sheets and the dieback of tropical coral reefs and vast forests.


Taking into consideration the present climate-related policies across the globe and the resulting global warming, the study suggests that the most conservative estimate stands at 62 per cent risk of triggering the tipping points on an average.

However, it added that opting for sustainable pathways in the future, along with lowering down greenhouse gas emissions, can play a pivotal role in bringing down the risk of these tipping points.

The research was conducted by researchers from universities of Exeter and Hamburg.

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What does 'tipping point' mean?

According to the study, 'tipping point' happens when small changes tip a system into a "new state," thereby, resulting in "significant and long-term transformation."

The study was conducted by assessing the probability of tipping point across five different scenarios. The researchers called these scenarios as socioeconomic pathways (SSPs).

Tim Lenton, co-author of the study, said these tipping points could lead to "devastating consequences” if the Earth’s climate is not preserved soon.

Lenton, who is from the University of Exeter's Global Systems Institute in the UK, claimed that the study has made it clear that the planet is currently on a "dangerous trajectory". Most likely, these tipping points can trigger in future, "unless we change course rapidly," the researcher added.

Highlighting the study, Lenton has called for "urgent global action" in order to have a safe and sustainable future.

Meanwhile, the research has suggested some good news as well. It was found by the team that carbon emitted by few tipping points, such as the permafrost thaw and Amazon rainforest dieback, looks unlikely to lead up to enough warming on the planet. This means, they might not trigger other tipping points.

Lead author Jakob Deutloff added that the emissions from such tipping points will not trigger a "tipping cascade".

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FAQs

1. When and where was the study related to tipping points published?
The research was published in the Earth System Dynamics journal on Wednesday, April 23.

2. How can people help in this?
Tim Lenton has sought urgent global action, which includes major steps towards 'positive tipping points' in the world.