--- title: The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed description: The world's coral reefs are dying—and will continue to unless global temperatures drop significantly. canonical: https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/ author: Simmone Shah article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-10-12T23:01:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-19T08:11:59.767Z article:section: Climate og:title: The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed og:description: The world's coral reefs are dying—and will continue to unless global temperatures drop significantly. og:url: https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd772700c9510032e/6998cabbc8dcb4b2dab5090d/coral-bleaching.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1024 og:image:height: 576 og:image:alt: Mass Coral Bleaching Ravages Thailand's Reefs og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed twitter:description: The world's coral reefs are dying—and will continue to unless global temperatures drop significantly. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd772700c9510032e/6998cabbc8dcb4b2dab5090d/coral-bleaching.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed, Scientists Say > Sponsored content. 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Future Proof is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-futureproof-2026q3/newsletters?i=24bf3c2d-c1c7-4a82-97e8-3bc0f9908336&cr=time-nl-futureproof-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Setting Boundaries: Johan Rockström's Quest for a Healthy Planet [Watch (HLS stream): Setting Boundaries: Johan Rockström's Quest for a Healthy Planet](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZJVfj7hC.m3u8) (6:28)  _Published 2023-04-20. In the climate science world, Johan Rockström is known as a bit of a... rockstar. He's on the 2023 TIME100 list. He has a viral TED Talk. He stars in a Netflix documentary. And when people talk about the practical steps needed to slow climate change, they talk about his work._  by [Simmone Shah](https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Reporter Oct 12, 2025 11:01 PM UTC In the climate science world, Johan Rockström is known as a bit of a... rockstar. He's on the 2023 TIME100 list. He has a viral TED Talk. He stars in a Netflix documentary. And when people talk about the practical steps needed to slow climate change, they talk about his work.  by [Simmone Shah](https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Reporter Oct 12, 2025 11:01 PM UTC The exact moment when Earth will reach its tipping points—moments at which human-induced climate change will trigger irreversible planetary changes—has long been a [source of debate](https://thebulletin.org/premium/2025-03/introduction-almost-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-tipping-points-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/) for scientists. But they might be closer than we think. A report published today says that the Earth has passed its first climate tipping point. The second “Global Tipping Points” report published by the University of Exeter found that warm-water coral reefs are passing their tipping point. Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and pollution are combining to cause coral bleaching and mortality, meaning that a large number of coral reefs will be lost unless the global temperature returns towards 1°C warming or below. “We're in a new climate reality,” said Tim Lenton, founding director at the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, who led the report. “We've crossed a tipping point in the climate system, and we're now sure we're going to carry on through 1.5°C of global warming above the prior industrial level, and that's going to put us in the danger zone for crossing more climate tipping points.” The planet is predicted to cross the 1.5°C threshold within the next 5 years, according to a report from the [World Meteorological Organization](https://wmo.int/sites/default/files/2025-05/WMO%5FGADCU%5F2025-2029%5FFinal.pdf). Once that threshold is reached, the planet will see more frequent and intense extreme weather and strains on food production and water access—impacts many nations vulnerable to climate change are already seeing. The authors define a tipping point as “occurring when changes in a system become self-perpetuating and difficult to reverse beyond a threshold, leading to substantial, widespread impacts.” Scientists have found as many as 25 major tipping points, including the Amazon rain forest transforming from a lush forest that stores carbon emissions to a dry savannah, and the permanent melting of polar sea ice whereby the dark open water absorbs more heat compared to white snow, encouraging further melting. 160 scientists in 23 countries compiled the latest data and literature on the topic, and found that, in the years since launching the report in 2023, reefs around the world have begun passing their thermal tipping point. “We've seen 80% of coral reefs experience unprecedented heat waves, bleaching events, and die back,” said Lenton. The widespread collapse of reef ecosystems would be devastating for marine and human life— reefs help support fisheries, and protect coastlines from storm surges and rising sea levels. Of all the tipping points, coral reefs have one of the [lowest thresholds](https://sentientmedia.org/coral-reefs-tipping-point/) for rising temperatures—meaning it’s no surprise that it’s the first to be breached. There are other measures of the environment’s health that scientists are also watching. A September [report](https://www.planetaryhealthcheck.org/wp-content/uploads/PlanetaryHealthCheck2025.pdf) found that we’ve already passed seven of the nine “planetary boundaries” (including the ocean becoming more acidic and the transformation of natural landscapes)—these are thresholds that keep Earth’s systems hospitable to life and protect against breaching a tipping point. Today’s report also found that the global temperature threshold required to trigger the widespread dieback of the Amazon rain forest is lower than previously thought, with the lower end of the estimated range now at 1.5°C. The authors emphasized the need for urgent action to avoid this fate, including targeted investments in conservation and restoration, to preserve the forest for the more than hundred million people who depend on it. They also warned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean, is at risk of collapse below an increase of 2°C of global warming above pre-industrial temperatures. If this happens, it would trigger harsher winters in north-west Europe, disrupt the West African and Indian monsoons, and decrease agricultural yields in much of the world. A number of positive changes are being made around the world, of course, as green alternatives like electric vehicles and solar panels become more widely adopted—and affordable. “There is growing evidence of what we call ‘positive tipping points’ where the change to zero-emission technologies and behaviors is also becoming self propelling,” Lenton says. But if we want to avoid crossing further climate tipping points there’s more progress to be made, he adds. “We know we need the solutions to accelerate if we're going to limit warming to a level that could limit the risks from the bad tipping points and the climate.” ## Transcript [00:00] I've always been important but it's more important than ever. [00:05] We're putting the stability and health of the entire Earth [00:09] system. At-risk day is a reminder that we not have to become [00:14] what I called stewards of Guardian of the stability of the entire [00:18] planet. [00:25] In the climate Science World Johan. [00:29] Rockstrom is known as a bit of a rock star. [00:32] He's on the 2023 time 100 list, [00:35] he has a viral tedtalk, he stars in the Netflix documentary [00:38] and when people talk about the Practical steps needed to slow [00:42] climate change, they talk about his work, [00:44] he's best known as one of the scientist who developed something [00:48] called the planetary boundaries framework. [00:50] It's sometimes called the PBS and it's a way for everyone [00:53] from scientists to politicians, to Business Leaders to evaluate [00:57] 9 system that regulate Earth as a livable planet, [01:01] each system, or PB has a boundary that humans can't afford [01:06] to cross if we want to keep living on Earth. [01:09] In the latest assessment. [01:11] Six of the nine boundaries are outside of the safe space D6, [01:15] our climate by diversity freshwater. [01:19] Nitrogen phosphorus air, pollutants and chemical overloading [01:23] depressing news report about climate change from the United [01:33] Nations, which showed that the planet is warming at a rate that [01:36] pretty much guarantees things like catastrophic drought, [01:39] flooding, and species Extinction. [01:41] So what should we focus on right now? [01:44] Large Transformations. We need to urgently accomplished [01:48] to come back with an amount as well, [01:50] plan the future. [01:51] I wouldn't plan to boundary is the energy transition soap to phase [01:55] out, fossil fuels oil, coal and gas, [01:57] cutting emissions by half every decade of a Nazi World economy [02:01] by 2050, and the food system transition, [02:04] it is about feeding Humanity without expanding into the remaining [02:08] 60%. [02:09] Land areas that are still intact nature and to produce food, [02:13] and why is that do not destroy water, [02:15] continue building carbon and do not, pollute are an old environment [02:20] around it. Even in the face of these formidable challenges [02:23] Rostrum is still hopeful. [02:24] He points to Green shoot signs of Hope like the fact that renewable [02:29] energy is increasing exponentially. [02:30] We're seeing you know on average something like 10% [02:36] of global electricity coming from solar and wind. [02:39] If we continue on the pace we are today we would have over half [02:43] 50% of the real Christie coming from wind and solar. [02:47] Just buy 20, 30, second place, he sees green shoots is in changing [02:52] ways of food production. [02:53] Practices that have been around for decades with car to Coffee [03:00] nature as much as possible to let routing systems and carbon [03:05] and soil. Biology, be much more than a healthy State. [03:08] We can [03:09] Sequester carbon but also have more water holding capacity [03:13] better routing depth, more resilient crops combine that with [03:18] eating more healthy food, having diets that are more diverse. [03:22] Can only give us a better healthy life but also contribute [03:28] significantly to A Healthy Planet and we manage the planet. [03:32] The simple answer is yes. [03:33] We've done it before. [03:36] In the late 1970s early 1980s, when were destroying the stratospheric, [03:40] ozone layer with a big ozone hole caused by chemicals that we [03:44] used for air conditioners on an ant spray and then different [03:47] shampoo, products, science, identify the hole in the ozone. [03:52] Layer policy responded with the Montreal protocol of 1987 and [03:59] industries that stuff. [04:00] An Innovative and delivered solution that were scalable. [04:03] That could take us off those Planet damaging chemicals. [04:06] We can't today conclude that the ozone hole is closing in and [04:10] we've been able to protect life on Earth. [04:12] As we know it, we can do the same for climate understands [04:17] that word, we is complicated. [04:18] The fact that is powered by fossil fuel energy. [04:23] Systems is not something that any individual can solve on his [04:27] or her own, but we can all vote with with outfeed. [04:30] Keep the dialogue alive engage in in the passwords towards [04:35] us. share those stories with your friends because if everyone [04:39] has a buzz, if create a momentum, [04:41] which is, I think what the world really needs right now, [04:46] Rocks from teachers for a living. [04:47] He works with young people, so he knows how worried and angry [04:51] they are about the state of the planet. [04:53] In fact, he's been a mentor of sorts to Greta thunberg, [04:56] a relationship that began as she was found in Friday's for future, [04:59] my fellow colleagues. [05:01] Over the years, we've been kind of wondering, [05:03] where are they use? [05:04] Because it is in a way unacceptable, [05:07] what, what we're doing to planet Earth? [05:10] And I, we are at risk of handing, [05:11] over a planet to the Next Generation Which is less and less [05:14] livable before the game. [05:17] And then all her fellow Fighters and future. [05:20] Use roles in the 2018 took off in the first Global demonstration [05:28] to try to Future was held in Berlin who spent the day together [05:32] as much as we can as supporting use woman. [05:38] They have such a cute message, listen to science and act accordingly. [05:42] What? Right? Do we have to hand over less livable world to our [05:47] children than the planet where we were born on? [05:51] Waiting for jumpy ride, more droughts and floods, [05:54] heatwaves challenges, melting ice or we can at least they're [05:59] all from the most disastrous and unmanageable outcomes. [06:02] The window for that is still open and we have the solutions. [06:07] All evidence shows that out in the other end is a more modern [06:12] attractive, stable peaceful healthier, and more prosperous [06:16] future. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/"},"headline":"The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed, Scientists Say","datePublished":"2025-10-12T23:01:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-10-19T08:11:59.767Z","description":"The world's coral reefs are dying—and will continue to unless global temperatures drop significantly.","url":"https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/","keywords":["Oceans","climate change"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd772700c9510032e/6998cabbc8dcb4b2dab5090d/coral-bleaching.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Simmone Shah","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/"}],"articleSection":"Climate","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd772700c9510032e/6998cabbc8dcb4b2dab5090d/coral-bleaching.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Mass Coral Bleaching Ravages Thailand's Reefs","caption":"Mass Coral Bleaching Ravages Thailand's Reefs","creditText":"Sirachai Arunrugstichai—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/section/climate/","name":"Climate"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/tag/oceans/","name":"Oceans"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7325086/coral-reef-climate-tipping-point-crossed/","name":"The World's First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed, Scientists Say"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Setting Boundaries: Johan Rockström's Quest for a Healthy Planet","description":"In the climate science world, Johan Rockström is known as a bit of a... rockstar. 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