Forthcoming Collection on Tipping Points led by PLOS Climate

Concerns have been raised that several large-scale components of the Earth system may respond abruptly and potentially irreversibly to ongoing climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and land use change. Key examples of such potential tipping systems include the polar ice sheets, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and the Amazon rainforest. However, there are many additional parts of the Earth’s climate and ecosystems, as well as social and economic systems, where ongoing anthropogenic climate and environmental change may trigger tipping transitions.   

A new Collection, led by PLOS Climate but involving other PLOS journals, will bring together original research articles (including systematic reviews and meta-analyses), narrative reviews, essays and opinion pieces addressing the topic of potential tipping dynamics in the context of anthropogenic climate change. Reflecting the highly interdisciplinary scope of PLOS Climate and our sister journals, the Collection will feature contributions with perspectives across scientific fields, ranging from applied mathematics, physics, across the geosciences, to economics and social sciences. 

We aim for the Collection to cover:

• Theoretical contributions, e.g. on modelling and predicting tipping transitions in complex systems
• Data-driven approaches to detect and anticipate tipping transitions, including methods from complexity science, or machine learning approaches
• Modelling studies advancing the understanding of climate subsystems or ecosystems and their risk of exhibiting tipping
• Studies on uncertainties related to potential tipping dynamics across the different parts of the Earth system
• Tipping dynamics in social and economic systems in the context of climate change, including potentially beneficial positive tipping points
• The potential role of tipping dynamics in mitigation and adaptation strategies

All submissions will be subject to our standard editorial policies, and we aim to publish the Collection in early 2027. More details will be made available to invited contributors.