Scientists warn of 'climate change tipping points' as planet is heading for ՙcatastrophic domino effect՛

Nine key 'tipping points' that will lead to catastrophic global warming have been reached, the Daily Mail reports, citing a group of leading scientists.

Scientists say that in these areas sufficient damage has been done that the effects of global warming could accelerate and create a 'cascade' effect. 

Because tipping points have been crossed, it could lead to a domino effect, accelerating global warming impacts, threatening human existence, scientists warn. 

'The situation is urgent and we need an emergency response', said said Tim Lenton, head of the University of Exeter team behind this study. 

'The growing threat of rapid, irreversible changes means it is no longer responsible to wait and see what happens.'

In the journal Nature, the scientists said urgent action was needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - as other key tipping points, that have not yet been activated could soon be hit.

Other tipping points not currently activated include heating up of deep water in the Antarctic, and the release of methane stored in the Ocean in polar regions.

They also identified a reduction in rainfall in the Indian monsoon, and a major loss of oxygen in the ocean as potential areas of risk.