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).
Sara M. Constantino, Viktoria Spaiser, Avit Bhowmik, Gianluca Grimalda, Steven R. Smith
Sara M. Constantino, Viktoria Spaiser, Avit Bhowmik, Gianluca Grimalda, Steven R. Smith
In this subchapter we discuss the role of the political domain, both as an enabler of positive tipping within social systems and as a system that can itself be tipped. Political systems can enable change through new policies, investments and discourses. These measures can amplify positive feedbacks and enable new system trajectories, solidifying transformations and making them difficult to reverse. Political systems can also be tipped, either via internal, self-reinforcing dynamics or as a result of acute events (e.g. crises that change the priorities of the electorate). Tipping dynamics within the political system include abrupt changes in politics (e.g. change of leaders), policies (e.g. new laws and regulations), or polity (e.g. introduction of new political institutions). Social movements, civil society and strong interest groups can entrench the status quo or be an instigator of change in political systems.