tipping point

Noun

tipping point (plural tipping points)

1. (broadly, figuratively, catastrophe theory) The point at which a slow, reversible change becomes irreversible, often with dramatic consequences.
2. 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. An irreversible change in the climate system.
   • 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.2005 August 11, Ian Sample, “Warming hits 'tipping point'”, in The Guardian
   • 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 June 22, Sam Romano, “Rainforests are under siege. Here’s what you should know.”, in CNN