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Remotely sensing potential climate change tipping points across scales

Author

Listed:
  • Timothy M. Lenton

    (University of Exeter)

  • Jesse F. Abrams

    (University of Exeter)

  • Annett Bartsch

    (b.geos GmbH, Industriestrasse 1A
    Austrian Polar Research Institute)

  • Sebastian Bathiany

    (Technical University of Munich
    Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

  • Chris A. Boulton

    (University of Exeter)

  • Joshua E. Buxton

    (University of Exeter)

  • Alessandra Conversi

    (National Research Council of Italy, ISMAR-Lerici, Forte Santa Teresa, Loc. Pozzuolo)

  • Andrew M. Cunliffe

    (University of Exeter)

  • Sophie Hebden

    (Future Earth Secretariat
    European Space Agency, ECSAT, Harwell)

  • Thomas Lavergne

    (Norwegian Meteorological Institute)

  • Benjamin Poulter

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre)

  • Andrew Shepherd

    (Northumbria University)

  • Taylor Smith

    (University of Potsdam)

  • Didier Swingedouw

    (University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805)

  • Ricarda Winkelmann

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

  • Niklas Boers

    (University of Exeter
    Technical University of Munich
    Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

Abstract

Potential climate tipping points pose a growing risk for societies, and policy is calling for improved anticipation of them. Satellite remote sensing can play a unique role in identifying and anticipating tipping phenomena across scales. Where satellite records are too short for temporal early warning of tipping points, complementary spatial indicators can leverage the exceptional spatial-temporal coverage of remotely sensed data to detect changing resilience of vulnerable systems. Combining Earth observation with Earth system models can improve process-based understanding of tipping points, their interactions, and potential tipping cascades. Such fine-resolution sensing can support climate tipping point risk management across scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy M. Lenton & Jesse F. Abrams & Annett Bartsch & Sebastian Bathiany & Chris A. Boulton & Joshua E. Buxton & Alessandra Conversi & Andrew M. Cunliffe & Sophie Hebden & Thomas Lavergne & Benjamin , 2024. "Remotely sensing potential climate change tipping points across scales," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44609-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44609-w
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