LONDON \u2014 Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Director Johan\nRockstr\u00f6m has warned that global warming caused by fossil fuel emissions\nis accelerating. This is pushing several of the Earth\u2019s vital ecosystems\ntowards critical tipping points that could trigger permanent damage.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Reuters Sustainability Europe conference on Tuesday\n(20 October 2026), Rockstr\u00f6m said damage to coral reefs and the Amazon\nrainforest was nearing an irreversible stage. Some parts of the Atlantic\nOcean circulation system are also approaching collapse, including\ncurrents that carry warm water from the Caribbean and help keep the\nclimate of Western Europe mild.<\/p>\n
At the conference, held ahead of the UN climate change conference\n(COP31), which is due to begin in T\u00fcrkiye on 9 November, Rockstr\u00f6m said\nthe latest scientific research confirms that global average surface\ntemperatures could exceed 1.5\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels in the\ncoming years. This is expected to increase the frequency and intensity\nof extreme weather.<\/p>\n
Rockstr\u00f6m stressed that companies need to integrate their climate and\nnature-conservation agendas to strengthen operational resilience against\nclimate-change risks. He said this integration was crucial to the\nsustainability of industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompanies that want to prepare and build resilience into their\noperations must treat climate and nature as one integrated agenda, not\nas two separate issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition to prioritising decarbonisation, companies should invest\nin nature conservation, he said. Such investment should focus\nparticularly on projects that protect or restore biodiversity and\npreserve and rebuild freshwater reserves.<\/p>\n
Rockstr\u00f6m also expressed concern about lobbying efforts to loosen\nrules phasing out internal-combustion-engine vehicles. He said subsidies\nfor petrol and diesel could weaken consumer demand for electric vehicles\nand potentially hinder efforts to reduce emissions from transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is deeply troubling to see lobbying efforts to loosen the rules\nphasing out internal-combustion-engine vehicles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The warning comes as countries prepare for COP31 in T\u00fcrkiye, an\nimportant forum for discussing global measures to cut emissions and\nlimit the rise in global temperatures.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/global-warming-is-accelerating-earths-ecosystems-near-critical-tipping-points-1792630274", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }