Abrupt change is change to the system that is substantially faster than the typical rate of change.

When it comes to climate change there are specific tipping points in play such as the dieback of forests or melting ice sheets, which could lead to abrupt changes to parts of our Earth.

These tipping points are both triggered by the changing climate, and also worsen the severity of climate change with the abrupt changes they bring about.

pathways:

Wikipedia / Tipping Points

20.10.2020 / Carbon Brief / Nine ‘tipping points’ that could be triggered by climate change