Scientists have warned of a “new reality” after the Earth reached its first climate tipping point that is a “tragedy for nature”. Warm-water coral reefs, on which nearly a billion people and a quarter of all marine life depend, are dying.
Experts at the the University of Exeter found widespread dieback is taking place and, unless global warming is reversed, extensive reefs will be lost.
Dr Mike Barrett, chief scientific advisor at WWF-UK and co-author of the report, said: “The findings of this report are incredibly alarming. That warm-water coral reefs are passing their thermal tipping point is a tragedy for nature and the people that rely on them for food and income.
“This grim situation must be a wake-up call that unless we act decisively now, we will also lose the Amazon rainforest, the ice sheets and vital ocean currents. In that scenario we would be looking at a truly catastrophic outcome for all humanity.
“As we head into the COP30 climate negotiations it’s vital that all parties grasp the gravity of the situation and the extent of what we all stand to lose if the climate and nature crises are not addressed. The solutions are within our reach. Countries must show the political bravery and leadership to work together and achieve them.”
The report also said that action to trigger “positive tipping points”, such as the rollout of green technologies, now offers the only credible route to a sustainable future.
Professor Tim Lenton, from the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, said: “We need to do more – and move faster – to seize positive tipping point opportunities. By doing so, we can drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions and tip the world away from catastrophic tipping points and towards a thriving, sustainable future.”