Tipping Elements - big risks in the Earth System

This article from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) can help you understand the climate tipping elements in the earth system. It explains what a tipping element is and maps out sixteen of them geographically, including the abrupt thaw of the boreal permafrost; the slowdown of Atlantic ocean currents; and the decline in key ecosystems, such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest. The article explains each tipping element; the tipping process; the estimated temperature at which it will happen; how long it will take; and what the impact will be. These concise descriptions of climate tipping elements provide a valuable baseline understanding of the climate system for all sustainability professionals and decision-makers.