An Interest In:
Web News this Week
- March 2, 2024
- March 1, 2024
- February 29, 2024
- February 28, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- February 26, 2024
- February 25, 2024
August 6, 2021 01:00 pm
Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/I-KlvD-d8W8/scientists-spot-warning-signs-of-gulf-stream-collapse
Scientists Spot Warning Signs of Gulf Stream Collapse
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: Climate scientists have detected warning signs of the collapse of the Gulf Stream, one of the planet's main potential tipping points. The research found "an almost complete loss of stability over the last century" of the currents that researchers call the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). The currents are already at their slowest point in at least 1,600 years, but the new analysis shows they may be nearing a shutdown. Such an event would have catastrophic consequences around the world, severely disrupting the rains that billions of people depend on for food in India, South America and West Africa; increasing storms and lowering temperatures in Europe; and pushing up the sea level in the eastern North America. It would also further endanger the Amazon rainforest and Antarctic ice sheets. The complexity of the AMOC system and uncertainty over levels of future global heating make it impossible to forecast the date of any collapse for now. It could be within a decade or two, or several centuries away. But the colossal impact it would have means it must never be allowed to happen, the scientists said. The researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Climate Change.Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/I-KlvD-d8W8/scientists-spot-warning-signs-of-gulf-stream-collapse
Share this article:
Tweet
View Full Article
Slashdot
Slashdot was originally created in September of 1997 by Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda. Today it is owned by Geeknet, Inc..More About this Source Visit Slashdot