El Efecto Séneca y los Puntos de No Retorno #tippingpoints

https://youtu.be/ccJi7jXfJVg

#guillermoschnitman #elviejofarmer #PlanetaB

#FYI #JustHaveAThink video lecture and literature review

on the #GlobalHeating acceleration, #AMOC & #TippingPoints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmwQL3eTL0

#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis

We interrupted our “Minister for Civil Protection”, #MartinPfister, during the #UBS Economic Forum at the Kongresshaus in #Zurich.

Martin Pfister and his Federal Council pose a threat to our country’s #security. His assessment of the threat, like himself, is stuck in the last millennium. He fears unrealistic #airstrikes from Russia or Iran more than he does #climatechange, which is infinitely more dangerous and already claims hundreds of #civilianlives in #Switzerland every year. Like the entire government, he notoriously and fundamentally underestimates the threat of #globalwarming and species loss to future generations. He would rather invest 3.4 billion Swiss francs in #fighter-bombers and air defence systems, thereby squandering funds that are so urgently needed elsewhere to protect our #future. Worse still, the focus on non-existent threats is a perfidious diversionary tactic. It distracts from the fact that Switzerland is spectacularly failing to meet its #climatetargets, that the world is spectacularly failing to meet its climate targets, that greenhouse gas emissions and temperatures are skyrocketing, that #tippingpoints are being reached – and all this despite the fact that it could all still be prevented if it were seriously put on the agenda.

The links between our fossil-fuel-dependent way of life and #globalwars are more than obvious. They are two sides of the same coin. In a world of growing resource scarcity, anyone who relies on fossil fuels and functioning transport routes for their own survival needs ever-expanding wars to secure essential supplies. This is the madness and the spiral logic of the military-industrial complex. Martin Pfister would have the power to abandon the path of rearmament, destruction and global warming in favour of a peaceful, non-imperial and non-fossil-based economic order. As long as he does not use this power, he is a threat to our security and a climate criminal.

A film everyone must see

On Monday, 27th April, I visited STC, formerly known as St Thomas’ Church, Crookes, for a Community screening of the National Emergency Briefing film. There was a good-sized audience of around 60 people, but I’m guessing most were already quite knowledgeable about the climate and nature emergencies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaI-dHgh65Q

The 50-minute film combines authoritative scientific content from the Westminster briefing in November last year, with reactions from members of the public and some more familiar faces, such as Jennifer Saunders and Deborah Meaden, which help audiences process the information on a more human level. It delivers the frank facts about the threats, but also the enormous benefits if the Government leads genuine emergency action.

The film features scientific evidence from experts such as Professor Tim Lenton on tipping points and Professor Paul Barran on food security. It covers climate impacts on national security, health, and the economy. 

As a teacher, I always used to try to avoid tipping points. Kids would love to lean back in their chairs, and inevitably, they would occasionally go past the tipping point and end up on the floor. Climate tipping points are events that could radically change the global climate, such as the death of a rainforest, the collapse of an ice sheet, or the failure of an ocean circulation system, leading to rising sea levels and catastrophic changes in temperatures.  

People who have seen the film have commented that although the facts are alarming, they felt a sense of optimism about confronting the challenge together and seeing a pathway to a better future. 

Lucy Gavaghan was quoted in’Now Then, calling the film “…a masterclass in public communications… Somehow, it’s peppered with hope without feeling glib, occasionally witty without being gimmicky, and harrowing without leaving you fully numb…This film’s brilliance lies in the simple fact that it is harder to ignore than it is to respond to.”

Sarah Daly wrote in LinkedIn, “This film isn’t designed to sow fear, it is about hope. It’s about knowledge as power and the opportunity for grown-up conversations so that our political leaders can no longer pretend it’s business as usual, bow to industry lobbyists and vested interests and kick the can on decisions that affect our very survival through this decade and beyond. “

The film was conceived and developed by Ben Carey and Henrik Delehag at Climate Comms Lab Utopia Bureau.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihBP0_zEO0

After the film, we split into small group discussions. Some audience reactions included Dave’s, who said, “The bulk of the responsibility does lie with the Government. We need to force the Government to tell the truth and to act.” Matthew had been impressed with the success of Sheffield’s Green Bonds, which very quickly raised £1million to purchase solar panels for school roofs. He wanted a national bond that people could invest in, so that the proceeds could be used to solve the climate and nature crises. Anne said she would spread the word in her local WhatsApp group and Book Group, because the film is very powerful.  

Ideally, everyone needs to see this film, especially decision makers like MP’s and Councillors, Business leaders, Educationalists, Bankers, Health Executives, Generals – there isn’t a role that is not affected by the climate and nature emergencies and people in every walk of life need to be aware of what the experts are saying and how we can best meet the challenges. I’m pleased to say that following my question at the end of the meeting, the two Councillors present, Minesh Parekh and Ruth Milsom, were able to say that a showing would be organised for all the Sheffield Councillors at the Town Hall. Perhaps you could help organise a showing of the film in your local community, workplace or place of worship.

The idea is to build up a big community of activists who have seen the film, to pressure the BBC and other broadcasters to show it on prime-time television. During COVID, we had regular Emergency Briefings. We now need these for Climate and Nature.

The Government should launch a science-led national emergency response to climate and nature breakdown, showing the same leadership and determination as in World War 2. This should include emergency legislation to drive a rapid reduction in emissions whilst investing to adapt to a more dangerous climate. Evidence shows that such action will create jobs and improve lives.

International climate conferences have failed to deliver the scale of global action needed. By taking these steps, the UK can establish the credibility required to help lead by example to drive the global action that people across the world are calling for.

Teams of volunteers are organising showings all over Sheffield and inviting MP’s and the public to see it. There have already been showings at Stannington, Sheffield University, Broomhall and the Energy Centre on Cambridge Street. The next showings are

The Light Wed 20th May 19.30

Sheffield Hallam University 16 July

Find other screenings

Dr Cathy Rhodes, the Diocesan Environment Officer, helped organise this screening with the local Eco Church group, made up of people from 4 congregations. She said, “The Climate and Nature Emergency is accelerating and becoming really critical. We need to wake up and hear our call to care for God’s creation, vulnerable people, and address climate injustice.  We’re hoping that, in showing the film in churches throughout the Diocese, and indeed to all denominations throughout the country, we will raise awareness, give opportunities to people to listen and learn, come together and begin to take action. The Church of England and Green Christians have some excellent resources that can be made available. Contact us via the diocesan website.

New over at climatetippingpoints.info: 'News Explainer: Is the AMOC closer to collapse than thought?'

The first of a new occassional 'News Explainer' series, briefly summarising recent news on climate tipping points (and checking how well the media reported it).

First up, a paper by Portmann et al. constraining future AMOC decline, but does it show that collapse is more likely than thought?

https://climatetippingpoints.info/2026/05/06/news-explainer-is-the-amoc-closer-to-collapse-than-thought/

#ClimateChange #TippingPoints #AMOC #AMOC_collapse #ClimateTippingPoints

Brazil bill aims to ban satellite tool used to slow Amazon deforestation https://news.mongabay.com/2026/04/brazil-bill-aims-to-ban-satellite-tool-used-to-slow-amazon-deforestation/

Deforestation and warming could push Amazon to tipping point by 2040s: Study https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/deforestation-and-warming-could-push-amazon-to-tipping-point-by-2040s-study/

#Amazon #environment #forest #deforestation #TippingPoint #TippingPoints