Shifting livelihoods is a typical adaptation strategy but can also reflect a social tipping point if this shift affects the community as a whole. Therefore, social tipping points should not be confused with the carrying capacity of a community. While the carrying capacity of a community is a fixed, predetermined limit, social tipping points are dynamic and constantly evolving under the influence of different social and political factors, such as solidarity networks or governance mechanisms. The carrying capacity of a community can evolve over time, but remains a static concept, unlike social tipping points. Social tipping points have also been applied to adaptation, through the concept of adaptation tipping points, which indicate how much pressure a socio- environmental system is able to absorb . Beyond the adaptation tipping point, the efficiency of adaptation responses will be limited, and can even transform into maladaptive options.
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report