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You probably know at least a little about the worldwide circulation of the oceans, also called currents. In fact, you may have encountered smaller currents during a day
You probably know at least a little about the worldwide circulation of the oceans, also called currents. In fact, you may have encountered smaller currents during a day at the beach. But have you heard of the “great global ocean transport belt,” a vast network of currents that constantly moves water around the planet?
This massive system helps distribute heat around the world, affecting everything from temperature to precipitation. Unfortunately, it is slowing down and on the verge of complete collapse. Scientists are investigating this phenomenon and according to the latest research published Natural GeologyMore than we think.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is like a giant ocean conveyor belt that moves warm and cold water around the Atlantic Ocean. It begins in the Gulf of Mexico, where warm, salty water flows north along the East Coast of the United States and across the Atlantic to Europe. When this warm water reaches the North Atlantic, it cools, condenses, and sinks deeper into the ocean.
This sinking process draws more warm water north to replace it, creating a continuous cycle that distributes heat across the planet, helping to regulate the climate. Thanks to AMOC, winters in regions such as Western Europe are milder than other regions.
People trust AMOC in several important ways. By regulating global temperatures, it helps maintain stable weather conditions that are critical to agriculture, ecosystems, and our daily lives. Researchers note that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is now weaker than at any time in the last 1,000 years.
A research team from several leading universities explains that global warming is behind this slowdown. Their new simulations suggest that meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet and Canadian glaciers may be a missing piece of the puzzle.
“Our results suggest that the overturning circulation in the Atlantic would be a third weaker than it was 70 years ago under 2°C global warming,” the research team says.
“This will lead to major changes in climate and ecosystems, including faster warming in the Southern Hemisphere, harsher winters in Europe, and a weakening of the tropical monsoon in the Northern Hemisphere.” Think about this for a second. Weaker ocean currents could mean colder winters and changes in rainfall patterns in Europe, affecting millions of people. It’s not just about the ocean; It’s about our daily life.
The Earth has already warmed by 1.5°C since the Industrial Revolution. And get this: The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet. All that heat is melting Arctic sea ice, glaciers, and the Greenland ice sheet.
“Since 2002, Greenland has lost 5,900 billion tonnes (gigatonnes) of ice,” the research team says. “To put this in perspective, imagine the entire state of Texas being covered in 26 feet of ice.”
All that fresh meltwater flowing into the Arctic ocean is lighter than salty seawater, so it doesn’t sink as much. This blocks the southward flow of deep, cold water from the Atlantic and weakens the Gulf Stream, the same current that provides Britain with mild winters.
So what is the biggest problem with the Gulf Stream slowing down? For a start, Europe may face harsher winters. Places like Britain may begin to look more like their colder counterparts at the same latitude, such as parts of Canada.
“Our new study shows that meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic glaciers in Canada is a missing piece of the climate puzzle,” the researchers explain.
When they included this meltwater in their simulations, it made sense that ocean circulation would slow down. The study confirms that the overturning circulation in the Atlantic has slowed since the mid-20th century. It also gives us a preview of what’s to come.
“Our new study also shows that the North and South Atlantic oceans are more strongly interconnected than previously thought,” the team said. Changes in one part of the ocean can quickly affect distant regions. When ocean circulation is strong, it carries a lot of heat to the North Atlantic.
But as it weakens, the ocean surface south of Greenland does not warm as much, leading to a condition called a “warming hole.” Meanwhile, the South Atlantic stores more heat and salt.
“Our simulations show that changes in the Far North Atlantic are felt in the South Atlantic in less than two decades,” the researchers said. This means the effects of the slowdown are spreading faster than we thought. Climate projections suggest that the perturbed circulation in the Atlantic will weaken by about 30% by 2060. But wait; without taking into account all that extra meltwater.
“The Greenland Ice Sheet will continue to melt over the next century, possibly raising global sea levels by approximately 4 inches,” the study stated.
“If this additional meltwater is included in climate projections, the overturning circulation will weaken more rapidly. It could be 30% weaker by 2040. This is 20 years earlier than originally predicted.”
This rapid decrease in circulation will shake things up. Winters may become colder in Europe, northern tropical regions may become drier, and summers may become hotter and wetter in places such as the southern United States.
“Our climate has changed dramatically in the last 20 years,” researchers warn. “Faster melting of ice sheets will accelerate further degradation of the climate system.”
So what does all this mean for us? This means we have less time to get together. Reducing emissions is not only a good idea, it is also extremely important. Our planet’s systems are interconnected in ways we are only beginning to understand. We must act now if we want to prevent things from getting worse. Every little thing matters and the clock is ticking. The full text of the research was published in the journal Natural Geology.
Source: Port Altele
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
