Short Wave Climate Tipping Points And The Damage That Could Follow
Nov 11, 2022
As the world teeters on the brink of exceeding 1.5°C warming, experts reveal the dangers of climate tipping points. The melting Greenland Ice Sheet poses serious threats to coastal cities, while Antarctic ice dynamics could drastically alter global sea levels. The imminent peril to coral reefs underscores the urgent need for reduced emissions. Moreover, the thawing of permafrost raises alarm bells for Arctic communities, highlighting the urgent requirement for innovative strategies to adapt and mitigate these escalating environmental crises.
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Ice Sheet Instability
- Greenland and Antarctica are melting rapidly, accelerating sea level rise.
- The floating ice acts like a crust, and its loss destabilizes the land ice, like a pumpkin pie losing its crust.
Permafrost Thaw and Feedback Loop
- Thawing permafrost releases stored carbon dioxide and methane, accelerating warming.
- This creates a feedback loop: warming thaws permafrost, releasing more greenhouse gasses, causing further warming.
Coral Reef Collapse
- Coral reefs, vital marine ecosystems, are highly sensitive to rising ocean temperatures and acidity.
- By 2035, half of all coral reefs may face unsustainable conditions, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods.