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Coral Reefs in Irreversible Die-Off as Climate Change Accelerate
14 Oct
Summary
- Global warming crossing dangerous thresholds sooner than expected
- Coral reefs in almost irreversible die-off, marking first "tipping point"
- Amazon rainforest at risk of collapse if global temperature rises above 1.5°C
According to a new report by 160 researchers worldwide, global warming is crossing dangerous thresholds sooner than anticipated, marking the first "tipping points" in climate-driven ecosystem collapse. The report, titled "Global Tipping Points," warns that the world's coral reefs are now in an almost irreversible die-off, sustaining severe damage from recent marine heat waves.
The scientists also revised down the estimated threshold for the Amazon rainforest, stating it is now at risk of collapsing once the average global temperature warms beyond 1.5°C. Additionally, the report raises concerns about the potential disruption to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a major ocean current that helps ensure mild winters in northern Europe.
The lead author of the report, environmental scientist Tim Lenton from the University of Exeter, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that "change is happening fast now, tragically, in parts of the climate, the biosphere." However, Lenton also highlighted positive signs, such as renewables accounting for more electricity generation than coal for the first time this year.
The scientists have implored countries attending the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil to take immediate action to bring down climate-warming carbon emissions and prevent further ecosystem collapse. They stressed that the world would need to drastically ramp up climate action to reverse temperatures back down to just 1°C above the pre-industrial average for coral reefs to have a chance of recovery.
