Overview
- The Second Global Tipping Points report, involving over 160 scientists from dozens of institutions and countries, concludes that warm‑water reefs have passed a thermal tipping point.
- Scientists cite the ongoing fourth global bleaching event since January 2023, with impacts reported on more than 80% of reefs across 80 countries and severe die-offs in multiple regions.
- Authors warn that crossing the reef threshold signals elevated risk of other tipping points, including Amazon dieback, polar ice‑sheet loss, and a potential AMOC collapse, without rapid emissions cuts.
- The report urges frontloaded greenhouse‑gas reductions, rapid scaling of sustainable carbon removal, and governance reforms, while noting accelerating “positive tipping points” in renewables and electric vehicles.
- The findings are being used to shape COP30 messaging in Belém through collaboration with Brazil’s presidency on an Action Agenda, and some experts underscore uncertainties such as potential refugia and adaptive responses.