The earth is currently bordering five Climate Tipping Points (CTPs) that could have detrimental effects on the environment and livelihood, a new study has found.

A recent study published by Science found that if the global temperature continues to increase, the earth could face the consequences of five CTPs, which will be irreversible.

CTPs are “conditions beyond which changes in a part of the climate system become self-perpetuating” which may lead to abrupt, irreversible and dangerous impacts on the earth and humanity.

Scientists identified nine global core tipping points and seven other regional tipping points, which either contribute to human welfare or to the earth’s system as a whole. 

“Their estimated CTP thresholds have significant implications for climate policy: Current global warming of 1.1°C above pre-industrial already lies within the lower end of five CTP uncertainty ranges,” the study reads.

“Six CTPs become likely (with a further four possible) within the Paris Agreement range of 1.5 to <2°C warmings, including the collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, die-off of low-latitude coral reefs, and widespread abrupt permafrost thaw,” it explained. 

Furthermore, an additional CTP will become likely and another three possible at the ~2.6°C of warming expected under current policies.