Harmful tipping points in the natural world pose some of the gravest threats faced by humanity. Their triggering will severely damage our planet’s life-support systems and threaten the stability of our societies.
In the Summary Report:
• Narrative summary
• Global tipping points infographic
• Key messages
• Key Recommendations
Executive summary
• Section 1
• Section 2
• Section 3
• Section 4
This report is for all those concerned with tackling escalating Earth system change and mobilising transformative social change to alter that trajectory, achieve sustainability and promote social justice.
In this section:
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Key Concepts
• Approach
• References
Considers Earth system tipping points. These are reviewed and assessed across the three major domains of the cryosphere, biosphere and circulation of the oceans and atmosphere. We then consider the interactions and potential cascades of Earth system tipping points, followed by an assessment of early warning signals for Earth system tipping points.
Considers tipping point impacts. First we look at the human impacts of Earth system tipping points, then the potential couplings to negative tipping points in human systems. Next we assess the potential for cascading and compounding systemic risk, before considering the potential for early warning of impact tipping points.
Considers how to govern Earth system tipping points and their associated risks. We look at governance of mitigation, prevention and stabilisation then we focus on governance of impacts, including adaptation, vulnerability and loss and damage. Finally, we assess the need for knowledge generation at the science-policy interface.
Focuses on positive tipping points in technology, the economy and society. It provides a framework for understanding and acting on positive tipping points. We highlight illustrative case studies across energy, food and transport and mobility systems, with a focus on demand-side solutions (which have previously received limited attention).
Viktoria Spaiser, Jürgen Scheffran, Uche T. Okpara, Weisi Guo, Florian Krampe, Sara M. Constantino, Ricardo Safra de Campos, Patricia Pinho,
Taha Yasseri, Tabitha Watson, Daniel Godfrey, Hugues Chenet, Avit Bhowmik, John T. Bruun
This chapter describes to what extent Earth system destabilisation and tipping can trigger negative tipping in various social systems, which in turn can reinforce the destabilisation of the Earth system through reinforcing feedback effects, mainly by preventing climate action. Specifically, with the Earth system further destabilising, we are likely to see social cohesion breaking down, while mental disorders and deviant behaviours will increase, further undermining societies’ ability to respond to crises. We are also likely to see greater radicalisation of various groups and polarisation, making it harder to find collective solutions.
Though not the only cause, escalating climate change will undermine human security through an array of indirect – at times non-linear – pathways, thereby increasing the risk of violent conflict, which in turn will undermine societies’ ability to cooperate on climate change mitigation. Further destabilisation of the Earth system is likely to trigger large-scale displacement, but also lead to trapped populations unable to leave increasingly inhospitable places. Displacement may increase ecological pressures within host communities, potentially adversely impacting the Earth system. Financial destabilisation is also likely to increase, diminishing the means to respond effectively to Earth system destabilisation.