What went right this week: ‘positive tipping points’, and more good news

‘Optimistic tipping factors’ supplied hope

Most individuals are conversant in local weather tipping factors: one element of a fragile ecosystem collapsing, sparking a sequence of irreversible disasters.

However lecturers from the College of Exeter in England have tipped the notion of tipping factors on its head, claiming breakthroughs in low-carbon applied sciences may set off an unstoppable wave of decarbonisation, or what they name optimistic tipping factors. 

In analysis printed this week, the college mentioned that small coverage interventions to advertise electrical vehicles, inexperienced fertilisers, and plant-based meat options may give low-carbon options the sting over their CO2-belching options, unlocking speedy emissions cuts.

“With time operating out, there’s a must be focused,” mentioned Mark Meldrum of the consultancy Systemiq, which helped produce the research. “Our report spotlights key alternatives to impact change that may produce big returns by way of decarbonisation.”

Picture: Emiel Molenaar