Scientists Warn of Imminent Climate Tipping Points: Act Now or Face Hothouse Earth
February 11, 2026
Permafrost thaw releases methane and CO2, reinforcing warming through feedback loops.
Experts involved include Dr. Christopher Wolf, Prof. Johan Rockström, and Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber.
Prof Tim Lenton and Prof William Ripple led the study in One Earth, noting Amoc weakening and Amazon dieback could amplify warming and interact with other feedbacks, underscoring insufficient current climate action.
Delaying action narrows opportunities to avert severe and unmanageable climate outcomes.
Current warming likely exceeds the Paris 1.5°C target based on recent temperatures, though formal determinations use a 20-year average.
A group of scientists warns humanity is closer than previously thought to a point of no return, with runaway global heating potentially leading to a hothouse Earth and severe climate impacts.
Oregon State University researchers warn that the climate could hit tipping points that destabilize the system, causing irreversible changes such as rapid warming and sea level rise.
A new paper warns the risk of a hothouse Earth is growing as warming accelerates, potentially triggering a cascade of climate tipping points.
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Recommended responses include expanding renewable energy, protecting carbon-rich ecosystems, and implementing climate-resilient, socially just policies to phase out fossil fuels quickly.
Forests are shifting from carbon sinks to sources due to fire and drought, and oceans are losing their capacity to absorb CO2.
Key figures and signs cited include observations of ice sheet instability, accelerating warming rates, and changes in carbon cycle dynamics across forests and oceans.
Summary based on 5 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Feb 11, 2026
Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say
Yahoo News • Feb 11, 2026
Scientists See Growing Risk of 'Hothouse Earth' as Warming Gains Pace
Slashdot • Feb 11, 2026
A Hellish 'Hothouse Earth' Getting Closer, Scientists Say - Slashdot
KEZI 9 News • Feb 11, 2026
Corvallis study warns of climate tipping points threatening stability