atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Newsletter
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Scientists predict collapse of key Atlantic Ocean current by 2057
Two Danish researchers, Peter and Susanne Ditlevsen, forecast the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation may collapse as early as 2057, raising concerns about severe global climate impacts.
In short:
- The AMOC, a crucial ocean current system, could collapse by 2057, significantly altering global climate patterns.
- The Ditlevsens' study indicates the AMOC is weakening due to rising temperatures and increased freshwater input from melting ice.
- A collapse could lead to harsher winters in Europe, rising sea levels and severe disruptions in global weather patterns and agriculture.
Key quote:
“We were completely overwhelmed by all the media attention, and then of course from all the weirdos.”
— Susanne Ditlevsen, statistics professor
Why this matters:
The potential collapse of the AMOC could trigger drastic changes in weather, agriculture and sea levels, impacting billions of people worldwide.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Silas Baisch/Unsplash
Facing a cold shock: How melting ice could alter global climates and raise sea levels
A recent study raises alarms about the potential catastrophic effects of climate change on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature and ecosystems.
In short:
- A scientific paper warns that melting ice could lead to a significant drop in temperatures in parts of Europe, alongside other global climate effects.
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating global climate, faces the risk of a "death spiral" due to freshwater influx.
- This scenario, while uncertain, underlines the need for immediate climate action to prevent possible drastic changes.
Key quote:
“The trickiest part about modeling this is the whole system is very dependent on how the ocean and the atmosphere interact with each other.”
— Till Wagner, atmospheric and ocean scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why this matters:
Warmer waters can disrupt the habitats of many marine species, leading to shifts in species distributions as fish and marine mammals migrate to cooler areas. This can impact food webs and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing.
Ocean heat waves, which can push out fish, plankton and other aquatic life, are happening far more frequently than previously thought.
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Newsletter
Credit: Rover_Thor/Flickr
Climate simulation raises alarm over potential ocean circulation collapse
A recent study by René van Westen showcases how melting Arctic freshwater could disrupt the Atlantic Ocean's circulation, potentially leading to abrupt climate changes.
In short:
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating climate and weather patterns, may be nearing a critical "tipping point" due to increased freshwater from melting ice.
- Historical data and advanced simulations indicate the AMOC has shut down before, with significant global climate implications.
- Recent observations suggest the AMOC is weakening, raising concerns about its stability and the rapid, severe consequences of its potential collapse.
Key quote:
“In simple terms [it] would be a combined food and water security crisis on a global scale.”
— Tim Lenton, climate scientist at the University of Exeter
Why this matters:
Understanding and monitoring the AMOC's stability is vital for predicting future climate changes. A collapse could drastically alter weather patterns, affect global food and water security, and challenge our ability to adapt. Solutions exist but competing interests slow implementation.
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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/ Flickr
'A perfect opportunity': Canadian scientists back at sea on U.S. research vessel
The collaboration with the U.S. will enable ship-challenged Canada to carry out the first spring survey of its Atlantic zone monitoring program in several years.
Ívar Atli Sigurjónsson, Kulusuk Greenland
Willow Hallgren: What Greenland's record-breaking rain means for the planet
Greenland’s melting ice sheets threaten to significantly hamper humanity’s efforts to mitigate climate change.
Newsletter
Photo by Ilyuza Mingazova on Unsplash
A critical ocean system may be heading for collapse due to climate change, study finds
Human-caused warming has led to an "almost complete loss of stability" in the system that drives Atlantic Ocean currents, a new study has found — raising the worrying prospect that this critical aquatic "conveyor belt" could be close to collapse.
Newsletter
Scientists see stronger evidence of slowing Atlantic Ocean circulation, an ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the climate
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, a system of currents, has long been considered capable of a sudden shutdown, which could have dramatic climate effects.
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