What Is a Climate Tipping Point?
A climate tipping point is a critical threshold beyond which a natural system undergoes a significant, often irreversible change, even if the driving forces…
Topic archive
Earth System Climate
Understanding the interconnected components and processes that shape Earth’s climate.
How to Read an Environmental Chart: The Keeling Curve and Atmospheric CO₂
The Keeling Curve shows the latest atmospheric CO₂ concentration at Mauna Loa Observatory: 426.55 parts per million (ppm) in February 2025, as reported by…
Why the Oceans Absorb Carbon Dioxide
The oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere because of a natural chemical equilibrium: CO2 dissolves in seawater and reacts with water to form…
Carbon Cycle Explained: Sources, Sinks and Storage
The carbon cycle is the continuous movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. Carbon sources release carbon into the atmosphere,…
What Is a Climate Feedback Loop? Definition, Types, and Impacts
A climate feedback loop is a process in the climate system that can either amplify (positive feedback) or dampen (negative feedback) an initial change.…