According to Global Tipping Points Report 2023 the world is at risk of crossing Earth system tipping points soon. The report was launched on 6 December at a UN climate change meeting (COP28) in Dubai and it offers the first comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with Earth system 'tipping points' and their governance as well as the opportunities for societal transformation.
Led by the University of Exeter and financially supported by the Bezos Earth Fund, the report is a collaborative effort of over 200 experts, including Associate Professor Yulia Yamineva from UEF Law School, who contributed to the chapter on governance.
The report defines 'Earth system tipping points' as critical thresholds where climate and environmental stresses could lead to abrupt and irreversible changes. It identifies five major systems at immediate risk: Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, warm-water coral reefs, North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre circulation, and permafrost regions. Many of the report’s findings are particularly significant for Finland as an Arctic nation.
Crossing tipping points could lead to catastrophic impacts, including for instance global-scale loss of capacity to grow major staple crops. The report demonstrates that ‘the overall threat posed by the climate and ecological crisis is far more severe than is commonly understood.’
At present, specific governance efforts to address tipping points are lacking but are urgently needed. The report calls for global and regional institutions across multiple domains, including climate change, environmental protection and development, to consider the implications of tipping processes for their work. One of the report’s messages states that ‘Now is the time for governance actors, including UN bodies, international organisations, national governments and non-state actors, to engage in the process of learning, interest formation and positioning, coalition building, and agenda setting for the governance of Earth system tipping points.’
Report Reference: T.M. Lenton, D.I. Armstrong McKay, S. Loriani, et al. (eds) (2023): The Global Tipping Points Report 2023. University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. The report is available for download at https://global-tipping-points.org/
For further information, please contact:
Associate Professor Yulia Yamineva at yulia.yamineva(at)uef.fi.