Speed of climate change could create new tipping points, according to UCC study

University College Cork academic says shocks due to the rapidity of climate change could be as dangerous as the change itself

UCC's Hassan Alkhayuon, co-lead author of the paper, said the progress of climate change is analogous to that of human-made systems, and cites the surge in electricity demand in England during the 1990 World Cup semi-final. Picture: UCC

The speed at which the earth approaches critical levels of climate change could be as dangerous as reaching these levels, a joint Irish and English mathematician-led study has found.

University College Cork and Exeter University mathematicians found disruptively rapid rates of climate change could create new tipping points with humans and ecosystems unable to adapt.