Wits Professor Laura Pereira, from the Global Change Institute at Wits University, says that business as usual is no longer possible, as threats from the Earth system tipping points, are on the increase.
The Global Tipping Points Report, reflects that humanity is currently on a disastrous trajectory.
A tipping point occurs when a small change, sparks an often rapid and irreversible transformation, and the effects can either be positive or negative,” explains Pereira.
“Based on an assessment of 26 negative Earth system tipping points, business as usual is no longer possible, with rapid changes to nature and societies already happening, and more coming.”
Researchers are thus, calling for urgent action to address the situation, including phasing out fossil fuels and land-use emissions well before 2050.
Other urgent steps are strengthening of adaptation and “loss and damage” governance, recognising inequality between and within nations.
Researchers also want the inclusion of tipping points in the Global Stocktake (the world’s climate “inventory”) and Nationally Determined Contributions (each country’s efforts to tackle climate change).
A concerted effort to address tipping points, is to convene an urgent global summit, deepen knowledge and create policies.
The report is available on this link: The report is available at: https://global-tipping-points.org/