Tipping Elements in the Earth's Climate System

This book addresses the growing scientific concern surrounding climate tipping points—abrupt and potentially irreversible shifts in the Earth system that may occur even under moderate global warming. It explores key examples, including the melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, disruption of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost. Over the past three decades, Earth observation satellites have become vital for detecting and tracking such changes by measuring essential climate variables. Building on insights from the 2022 ISSI Workshop in Bern, the volume presents current perspectives on how satellite data can advance the science of tipping points and support efforts to assess and manage associated risks.

Reprinted from Surveys in Geophysics, Special Issue: Tipping Elements in the Earth's Climate System, Vol. 46, Issue 2, 2025.