Tipping points

Run time: 17.00 – 18.00

Earth’s natural systems lie in a delicate balance which needs to work in harmony. When one of these is disrupted, we call it a tipping point.

A tipping point in the context of climate science refers to small changes in the Earth’s systems (geosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere) which unleash broader, typically catastrophic impacts that accelerate climate change. Examples include rising sea levels from the melting of ice sheets or the release of methane from the thawing of permafrost.

However, not all tipping points are disastrous, in fact some may help to slow down or prevent the impending impacts of a climate emergency we find ourselves in. Join Tim Lenton from the University of Exeter to find out more.

For access information and directions to this venue, and all British Science Festival venues, please click this link https://britishsciencefestival.org/british-science-festival-2023-venues