A new report cautions of numerous risky climate feedback loops and the requirement for action in both research and policy. Researchers from the United States and Europe noted and explained 41 climate feedback loops that have significant ramifications for the outlook on climate modification. In overall, the scientists identified 27 magnifying feedbacks, 7 dampening feedbacks, and 7 uncertain feedbacks.
The authors highlight a number of especially troubling feedback loops such as the permafrost feedback in which rising temperatures lead to permafrost thawing, which results in more carbon dioxide and methane emissions, leading to additional warming. In addition, “some environment feedback loops are associated with tipping points, which will make it challenging to reverse their results,” stated coauthor Jillian Gregg, a scientist at Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Associates.
The authors highlight numerous especially uncomfortable feedback loops such as the permafrost feedback where increasing temperatures lead to permafrost thawing, which results in more carbon dioxide and methane emissions, leading to more warming. In addition, “some climate feedback loops are associated with tipping points, which will make it hard to reverse their results,” stated coauthor Jillian Gregg, a scientist at Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Associates.
Sea ice. Credit: Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard
Encouraged by the many magnifying climate feedbacks, the authors make two suggestions. With regard to environment research, a rapid shift toward integrated Earth system science is required in order to completely represent biological, social, and other interactions that may affect the climate. In regards to environment policy, more enthusiastic plans for emissions drawdown should be pursued offered both continuous environment disasters and long-lasting catastrophic dangers. Such plans might include employing nature-based options to sequester more carbon from the environment. “The strategic facility of big natural carbon sinks such as forests is a critical action towards reaching carbon neutrality,” stated Ripple.
Wildfire. Credit: Peter Buschmann
The authors concluded by releasing a call for transformative modification to address the environment crisis and threats posed by feedback loops. According to Wolf, “policies are required to help with transformative and socially just changes across numerous sectors, including energy and food production.”
The paper is accompanied by the launch of a feedback loops site with animated feedback loops influenced by the research study.
Reference: “Scientists alert of numerous harmful environment feedback loops” 17 February 2023, One Earth.DOI:
In addition to Wolf, Ripple, and Gregg, five other researchers are co-authors of the paper:
Timothy M. Lenton of University of Exeter, Susan M. Natali and Philip B. Duffy of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, Johan Rockström and Hans Joachim Schellnhuber of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
The wildfire-climate change feedback loop. Credit: Chris Wolf, William Ripple Background picture by Peter Buschmann
A brand-new report warns of numerous risky environment feedback loops and the need for action in both research and policy. It was written by a worldwide group of scientists, including scientists from Oregon State University (OSU) and will be released today (February 17, 2023) in the clinical journal One Earth. The report specifies that partially due to magnifying climate feedbacks, “an extremely fast drawdown in emissions will be required to restrict future warming.”
Scientists from the United States and Europe listed and described 41 environment feedback loops that have major implications for the outlook on environment modification. In total, the researchers identified 27 enhancing feedbacks, 7 moistening feedbacks, and 7 unpredictable feedbacks.
Permafrost. Credit: Brandt Meixell, USGS
The lead authors, Christopher Wolf, a postdoctoral researcher at OSU, and William Ripple, a distinguished teacher of ecology at OSU, were signed up with by several US and international researchers who are credited as co-authors on the report. Ripple is likewise an affiliate scientist with the Conservation Biology Institute.