Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’

Coral reefs face long-term decline now the planet has reached its first catastrophic tipping point linked to greenhouse gas emissions, a report says. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

The earth has reached its first catastrophic tipping point linked to greenhouse gas emissions, with warm water coral reefs now facing a long-term decline and risking the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, according to a new report.

The report from scientists and conservationists warns the world is also “on the brink” of reaching other tipping points, including the dieback of the Amazon, the collapse of major ocean currents and the loss of ice sheets.