Climate Tipping Points

Explore the critical issue of climate tipping points in this comprehensive talk from the remote Chaos Communication Congress (rC3). Delve into the mounting evidence suggesting that tipping points in the Earth system, such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest or the West Antarctic ice sheet, may be more likely and interconnected than previously thought. Examine the potential for long-term irreversible changes and their high impacts on our planet. Learn about the evolution of scientific understanding regarding tipping points, from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's initial introduction of the concept to current research indicating they could be exceeded between 1 and 2 °C of warming. Analyze the implications of current national pledges to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and their potential to result in at least 3 °C of global warming. Consider the emergency response required to limit warming to 1.5 °C and avoid a potential global cascade of tipping points leading to a less habitable "hothouse" climate state. Investigate various scenarios involving ocean and atmospheric circulation, greenhouse-gas feedbacks, and cloud feedbacks that could trigger global tipping points. Gain insights into the likelihood of these scenarios and the necessary actions to prevent them in this crucial discussion led by Stefan Rahmstorf.