Watch It Wednesday #56

What are tipping points? What do they mean? As the Earth’s climate continues to warm, we are forcing the natural systems we rely on out of equilibrium. The relatively stable climate over the past few thousand years that has enabled human civilization to flourish represents our current equilibrium. Tipping points represent thresholds that when crossed, may lead to large accelerating and potentially irreversible (at least on the scale of generations) changes to the climate system.

This video breaks down what tipping points are, provides a few examples, and highlights the need to limit warming now to avoid crossing these thresholds.