Steven R. Smith

re.green, one of the 2025 Earthshot winners, focuses on the reforestation of the Amazon and Atlantic forest. The Earthshot Prize

September 16, 2026

Earthshot and the science of positive tipping points: how environmental progress can become unstoppable

Steven R. Smith, University of Exeter and Tim Lenton, University of Exeter

Change happens rapidly when we know where to look: these solutions could tip the world towards a better future.

Mistervlad/Shutterstock

July 28, 2026

As mayor, Andy Burnham’s climate record was strong – this city knowledge is key to decarbonising the UK

Steven R. Smith, University of Exeter and Cormac Lynch, University of Exeter

The UK prime minister has described his new government as a circuit breaker – but tipping points may be a better metaphor.

Muitos sistemas sociais, assim como os da natureza, têm pontos de inflexão, o que significa que não precisamos convencer todo mundo a fazer a coisa certa, mas um número suficiente de pessoas para fazer o sistema mudar na direção certa. Tarcisio Schnaider/Shutterstock

June 10, 2026

Como pontos de inflexão positivos na opinião pública podem ser a chave para a proteção das florestas tropicais

Steven R. Smith, University of Exeter and Tom Powell, University of Exeter

Não precisamos convencer todo mundo a fazer a coisa certa. Basta convencermos um número suficiente de pessoas para que o sistema mude na direção certa

Tarcisio Schnaider/Shutterstock

June 9, 2026

How positive tipping points may be the key to protecting tropical rainforests

Steven R. Smith, University of Exeter and Tom Powell, University of Exeter

We don’t have to persuade everyone to do the right thing. We just need to persuade enough people to make the system tip in the right direction.

Nrqemi/Shutterstock

July 2, 2025

UK may be on verge of triggering a ‘positive tipping point’ for tackling climate change

Kai Greenlees, University of Exeter and Steven R. Smith, University of Exeter

Electric vehicle sales are racing ahead in the UK – but the switch to heat pumps is lagging behind.

fran_kie / shutterstock

December 7, 2023

Climate ‘tipping points’ can be positive too – our report sets out how to engineer a domino effect of rapid changes

Steven R. Smith, University of Surrey; Caroline Zimm, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and Tim Lenton, University of Exeter

One positive change can lead to another.

In its new energy strategy, the government says it “remains absolutely committed to maximising the vital production of North Sea oil and gas as the North Sea basin declines”. donvictorio / shutterstock

March 30, 2023

Why a serious climate strategy is almost impossible in the UK’s current political system

Steven R. Smith, University of Surrey

The country is missing a strong and strategic coalition of pro-climate interest groups, says research.

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