Tipping points in climate science normally refer to small changes in the Earth system that unleashmuch broader, typically damaging impacts that accelerate climate change. Well-known examplesare rising sea levels due to disintegration of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, or therelease of methane from the thawing permafrost. They help to underline the urgency of climateaction. Today most people understand we must reduce emissions – and very quickly.
This evening Tim will summarise recent evidence regarding climate tipping points, which supportsdeclarations that we are in a ‘climate emergency’. Then he will turn to identifying positive socialtipping points that will need to be triggered to have any hope of limiting global warming to wellbelow 2C.
Tim Lenton is Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science at Exeter University. His25 years of research includes developing models to understand the Earth’s behaviour. He co-authored the “Planetary Boundaries” framework and is renowned for his work identifying climatetipping points. He won the European Geosciences Union Outstanding Young Scientist Award in
2006 and subsequently many other prestigious awards. He is in the top 100 Reuters “Hot List” ofthe worlds top climate scientists so is good at communicating his extensive knowledge.
Some members have expressed interest in a weekend trip, so the following has been arranged:
All day Saturday 29 June 2024 and half-day Sunday 30 June 2024
The Girvan-Ballantrea Complex: Ayrshire coast
Excursion leader: Conn Gillen (University of Edinburgh)
Geology
This will be an opportunity to examine and discuss an ophiolite complex – diverse Ordovician age rocks from the mantle and ocean crust, juxtaposed by faulting. Ophiolites are quite rare. Other ophiolites are in Cornwall and Shetland, so the Girvan-Ballantrae area is definitely our nearest! I expect we’ll examine Silurian strata as well. The origins and histories of these rocks are complicated, but our leader, Conn, is familiar with guiding various groups here and has also offered a pre-trip Zoom briefing. Attendees can get involved with the geological intricacies or take a more introductory approach and admire the excellently exposed rocks that we’ll see, such as pillow lavas, layered chert and so-on.
Background information can be found online. There’s an introduction at: https://www.geologynorth.uk/ballantrae-ophiolite-complex/ More detailed references with geological information will follow with confirmation of your booking.
Practicalities
Attendees need to be ready to start on the Saturday and Sunday mornings. Given the distance from Cumbria this means that arrangements need to be made for Friday night and Saturday night accommodation. (Dates and timing have been governed by low tide conditions). Attendees might want to share transport and accommodation and will need to make their own arrangements. Details of some accommodation suggestions will follow on confirmation of booking. The aim is to have about 15 attendees with individual costs of £20 to cover any possible CGS outlays.
A moderate amount of coastal / foreshore walking will be involved. Stout footwear and weather gear will be needed, as for most of our field excursions. Conn will provide more guidance on topics such as fitness, walking distances, parking / meeting spots, loo stops, potential lunch stops, etc in due course. Attendees will need to use their own vehicles (hopefully shared) to get to start points.
At present there’s no fixed plan for meeting up socially on the Friday or Saturday evenings – this might be fun and is something that can be considered nearer the time (or on the spot).
The excursion is expected to end around lunchtime on Sunday 30 June. Attendees may wish to use the afternoon for more exploration of the Ayrshire coast (seal spotting?!) or for their return trip, or they could extend their stay of course.
Booking details
In view of the need to book up accommodation soon, if you are interested in the trip please add your email address via the form together with payment of £20 to CGS trip account with ref BALLAN Name; Sort code 20 18 47 ; Account No. 90207128 by 2 February 2024. Bookings will be on a first come first served basis. Should the trip not be viable deposits will obviously be returned.
Any non-members who wish to attend, please join the society prior to registering.
Form to Book a Place
Phil Davies, CGS President
Next Events for 2024
Windermere Supergroup in the Grizebeck, Gawthwaite and Woodland area
Wednesday, 8 July, 2026
Leader: Dave Kelly
Based on new GA Cumbria Guide 2.5
Meeting in the car park of the Greyhound Inn, Grizebeck SD238849.
Afternoon excursion to explore the Eycott Volcanic Group on Binsey, and its relationship to the underlying Skiddaw Group. Starting point: 12 Noon at roadside carparking at Bewaldeth road end, Bassenthwaite NY 23549 35104 (W3W factoring.pulps.salon).
If there are no spaces to Bewaldeth road end there is a wide grass verge on the east side of the road that leads south from the road end (towards Whitefield cottage/Overwater) at NY 23638 35087 (W3W rebounder.bronzes.daring).
The route will take us around the southwestern foot of Binsey then steeply up the western flank of the fell to West Crag, returning to start point via Binsey top.
Please note: A moderate level of fitness and leg strength is required. Participants are advised to carry walking poles if they feel uncertain. Stout footwear required.
Car parking is limited so please consider car-sharing.
Braystones to St Bees: A walk along the coastal path to view the legacy of glacial readvances.
Saturday, 5 September, 2026
Leader: Jon Merritt
The coastal path allows easy access to view glacial landforms and to study sediments at several localities between Braystones and St Bees. These provide an insight into subglacial and ice-marginal processes that operated during the latter stages of the last glaciation in the region. The excursion is planned to start at c.11.20 am at Braystones Station [NY 0010 0597], joining up with participants who have taken the train from St Bees at c.11.00 am. The first stop will be a degraded cliff section beside the River Ehen at Warborough Nook [NY 0085 0494], a quiet locality good for a picnic. The route then follows the coastal path through Lowside Quarter to Nethertown Beach [NX 9881 0734], where we can examine a raised beach and cliff sections around the promontory. The coastal path is then followed back to St Bees stopping at several small sections and scrapes at the back of some large, but stable, landslips. The excursion ends at the southern end of the St Bees Moraine at Sea Mill [NX 9695 1074] where there is parking for cars only. The route is c.10 km over gently undulating ground, but includes walking on a bouldery shingle beach at Nethertown.
Excursion Information, Hazard and Safety Assessment and Booking Details to follow.
Outcrops to Paintbox, mineral pigments in artists paints.
Soft, coloured minerals which leave a strong streak have been employed as pigments for the last 500 thousand years. This talk will introduce some of the main minerals used as pigments, their chemistry and properties and discuss how they have been used in paintings throughout art history.
