Global warming is reaching critical stages earlier than anticipated, with coral reefs across the world facing an almost irreversible decline, signaling what experts have labeled as the initial “tipping point” in the collapse of ecosystems driven by climate change. The alert comes from the Global Tipping Points report, compiled by 160 scientists globally, which consolidates innovative research to identify points of no return. This development occurs just prior to the COP30 climate conference, scheduled near the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
The report highlights that the Amazon rainforest system is also at risk of collapse once the global average temperature exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius due to deforestation rates. Additionally, there is concern that continued temperature rise may disrupt the crucial ocean current known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), essential for maintaining mild winters in northern Europe.
Tim Lenton, an environmental scientist at the University of Exeter and the lead author of the report, warned of rapid changes occurring in certain climate and biosphere aspects. On a positive note, Lenton mentioned encouraging signs in phasing out fossil fuels, with renewables surpassing coal in electricity generation this year for the first time.
The scientists emphasized the urgency for countries at the upcoming COP30 in November to collaborate in reducing carbon emissions responsible for global warming. They have observed surprising speed in the unfolding natural changes, with global temperatures already exceeding 1.3-1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as reported by UN and EU scientific agencies.
Recent years have been recorded as the warmest on Earth, featuring marine heat waves that have severely impacted 84 percent of the world’s reefs, leading to bleaching and mortality. Coral reefs support a significant portion of marine biodiversity. To facilitate coral recovery, substantial climate action is required to lower temperatures to just 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as proposed by the scientists.
Pep Canadell, a senior scientist at Australia’s CSIRO Climate Science Centre, emphasized the escalating negative consequences of climate change each year, as outlined in the new report.
