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Total collapse of vital Atlantic currents unlikely this century, study finds

Damian Carrington, Guardian 26th Feb 2025

Climate scientists caution, however, that even weakened currents would cause profound harm to humanity.

Vital Atlantic Ocean currents are unlikely to completely collapse this century, according to a study, but scientists say a severe weakening remains probable and would still have disastrous impacts on billions of people.

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is a system of currents that plays a crucial role in the global climate. The climate crisis is weakening the complex system, but determining if and when it will collapse is difficult.

Studies based on ocean measurements indicate that the Amoc is becoming unstable and approaching a tipping point, beyond which a collapse will be unstoppable. They have suggested this would happen this century, but there are only 20 years of direct measurements and data inferred from earlier times bring large uncertainties.

Climate models have indicated that a collapse is not likely before 2100, but they might have been unrealistically stable compared with the actual ocean system………………………………………………………………………………………. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/26/total-collapse-of-vital-atlantic-currents-unlikely-this-century-study-finds

March 1, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, oceans