(CNN) The Earth is heading toward a "global tipping point" if the climate crisis continues on its current path, scientists have warned, as they called for urgent action to avoid "an existential threat to civilization." The researchers said early results from preliminary models suggest the climate is much more sensitive than first thought and that a global tipping point is possible. JUST WATCHED Meet the youth activists fighting for climate action Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Meet the youth activists fighting for climate action 01:23Emissions, global warmingThe idea of a climate tipping point is not new. Back then, the UN suggested such "large-scale discontinuities" would only come about when global warming exceeded 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The authors acknowledge that there are limits to their understanding of climate tipping, and further investigation is needed.

Source: CNN November 28, 2019 07:05 UTC