How climate tipping points work

A reflection on reinforcing feedback loops in living systems

Another key element of circularity in systems is the existence of feedback loops, which are processes that cycle back on themselves to either reinforce or diminish the original effect. Unless we identify, understand, and respond to these feedback loops, we can find ourselves with exponential growth and system collapses. More than 10 years ago, climate scientists identified numerous climate-change tipping points. Each of these, of which there are now 16, creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop in the climate system that perpetuates global warming.

To illustrate further, the fires blazing that have devastated the Amazon, Australia, and California in recent years are a worrying sign of a climate-change tipping point. In the case of the Amazon, climate change dries out the rain forest, which results in more fires, which release carbon into the atmosphere and also reduce carbon absorption by the forest, resulting in more climate warming. It’s a dangerous, vicious cycle. There was a time when such economic, social, and environmental crises were over there—someone else’s problem. Now, breakdowns in one part of the world can rapidly spread to every other part. There is no away anymore.

In contrast to feedback loops that reinforce and amplify growth effects, thriving systems use balancing or canceling feedback loops. Biodegradability or recyclability of materials is an example of a balancing feedback effect that allows the system to continually use materials without their accumulating and overwhelming or poisoning the system they are designed to serve.

Source: Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society, and the Economy