Tipping Points
Climate tipping points are critical thresholds where the climate system abruptly shifts to a fundamentally different state, potentially through positive feedback mechanisms. Crossing tipping points may trigger cascading changes that are difficult or impossible to reverse within human timescales.
Real World
Studies published in Nature (2022) identified nine active tipping points already being approached, including the Greenland Ice Sheet; its complete melting would raise sea levels by 7 metres, threatening cities like Miami and Mumbai irreversibly.
Exam Focus
Distinguish tipping points from gradual change in 'assess' questions — examiners reward understanding that crossing a threshold makes reversal effectively impossible.
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