Topics / Impacts & Risks / Ecosystem Collapse

Ecosystem Collapse

Biodiversity loss, coral reefs, and habitat degradation

Reports
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Analysis
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef faces rapid decline; urgent, targeted actions are needed to restore ecosystems, safeguard species, and ensure survival.
Drawdown Solar Reflection Targets Ecosystem Collapse
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Analysis
Climate Dominoes
Earth’s systems are showing significant signs of tipping into irreversible change.
Climate Science Impacts Scientific Reticence Sea Levels Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
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Analysis
Antarctic Tipping Points
How Antarctica could contribute several metres of sea-level rise—far sooner than previously thought.
Sea Levels Ice Melt Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
Articles
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Aerial views of The Great Barrier Reef are seen from above on August 7, 2009 in Cairns, Australia. A recent report by marine scientist Charlie Veron claims that the reef will be so degraded by warming seas that it will be gone within 20 years, and that this situation is now irreversible. He goes on to predict that once carbon dioxide levels hit levels predicted between 2030 and 2060, that all reefs will become extinct and their ecosystems would collapse. The area pictured is also where conservation celebrity Steve Irwin was killed by a singray. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Insights
Coral in Crisis
Global temperatures have likely reached 1.5°C, with accelerating warming driven by rising CO2 levels.
Solar Reflection Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 19: A man looks over a smokey Sydney skyline on December 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency for the next seven days with ongoing dangerous fire conditions and almost 100 bushfires burning across the state. It's the second state of emergency declared in NSW since the start of the bushfire season. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)
Insights
Accelerating Warming Time-Bomb
Accelerating warming creates urgent, systemic climate risks demanding unprecedented global action.
Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
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Insights
Policy on Collision Course
Climate policy is failing to address rapid warming, risking extreme impacts and societal collapse.
Future Warming Policymaking Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
TOPSHOT - A firefighter conducts back-burning measures to secure residential areas from encroaching bushfires in the Central Coast, some 90-110 kilometres north of Sydney on December 10, 2019. Toxic haze blanketed Sydney on December 10 triggering a chorus of smoke alarms to ring across the city, as Australians braced for "severe" weather conditions expected to fuel deadly bush blazes. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
Climate’s Latest Scorching Reality
2023 was a year of unprecedented heat, drought, and disaster.
Climate Science Climate Extremes Future Warming Ecosystem Collapse
Popular BUNDABERG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: A man comforts his daughter on their roof as they inspect damage to their neighbourhood as parts of southern Queensland experiences record flooding in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Oswald on January 29, 2013 in Bundaberg, Australia.Four deaths have been confirmed and thousands have been evacuated in Bundaberg as the city faces it's worst flood disaster in history. Rescue and evacuation missions continue today as emergency services prepare to move patients from Bundaberg Hospital to Brisbane amid fears the hospital could lose power. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Insights
Stranded by a Warming World
The Paris target is unsafe as major climate tipping points accelerate, demanding urgent global action.
Climate Science Sea Levels Ice Melt Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
Press
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Media
Is it true climate change will cause the end of civilisation by 2050?
More than a billion people could be displaced by climate change by 2050, is that true?
6 June 2019
Impacts & Risks Tipping Points Food & Water Ecosystem Collapse Human Security
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Media
Climate Change Threatens Societal Collapse Within Decades: Report
Extreme weather could result in a complete societal breakdown by 2050.
5 June 2019
Impacts & Risks Climate Extremes Future Warming Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
Contributors
KristyHowey

Kristy Howey

Environmental Lawyer and Executive Director

Specialises in advocacy, research, strategy, Indigenous governance, law, development and environmental protection.

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David King

Climate Policy Analyst and Scientific Advisor

Former chief scientist advising governments on emissions, innovation and global climate governance.

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CharlieVeron

Charlie Veron

Marine Biologist and Coral Taxonomist

Renowned scientist studying reefs, biodiversity loss and ocean ecosystems under warming.

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Hans Joachim Schellnhuber

Climate Physicist and Policy Advisor

Leading scientist modelling Earth systems, tipping points and planetary boundaries and informing policy.

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