英和和英

名詞

tipping point (plural tipping points)

1. (mathematics, catastrophe theory, figuratively, by extension) The point at which a slow, reversible change becomes irreversible, often with dramatic consequences.
2. (sociology) A point in time when a group rapidly and dramatically changes its behavior by widely adopting a previously rare practice.
   1. The point in time at which some new technology becomes mainstream.
3. (climatology) An irreversible change in the climate system.

   Coordinate term: tipping element

   • 2005 August 11, Ian Sample, “Warming hits 'tipping point'”, in The Guardian‎:

     It is a scenario climate scientists have feared since first identifying "tipping points" - delicate thresholds where a slight rise in the Earth's temperature can cause a dramatic change in the environment that itself triggers a far greater increase in global temperatures.

   • 2021 June 22, Sam Romano, “Rainforests are under siege. Here’s what you should know.”, in CNN‎:

     Some researchers worry that rainforests will soon reach a tipping point — a point of no return in which the once-lush forests transition to arid regions.

   • 2021 August 5, Damian Carrington, “Climate crisis: Scientists spot warning signs of Gulf Stream collapse”, in The Guardian‎:

     Climate scientists have detected warning signs of the collapse of the Gulf Stream, one of the planet’s main potential tipping points.

派生語

• tipping-point state

参考

• catastrophe theory
• critical point
• watershed moment
• turning point

Further reading

• tipping point (physics) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• tipping point (sociology) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• tipping points in the climate system on Wikipedia.Wikipedia