Marine currents that help stabilize the world's weather are critically threatened, according to a new study.
The currents in question, of which golf is one, drive warm water from the tropics of the Earth to the Arctic. The water cools, but also becomes saltier, so it sinks and flows in shallow areas back to the tropics where water salinity is lower.
The cold water flowing into the tropics cools them (glaciers in Europe), Photo: GettyImages
In the Northern Hemisphere, for example, moving water from the tropics moderates winters in Europe and North America, while cold water flowing into the tropics cools it. Now a study published in the journal Nature predicts that the accelerated melting of glaciers brings a huge amount of fresh water into the ocean, which disrupts the flow process.
Changes expected as early as 2025
As a result, winters in Europe and North America will become 15-10°C colder, while the tropics will not be cooled by the sea flow. According to the study, the change is expected to occur between 2039 and 2070, at the earliest in 2025 and at the latest by 2095.
Peter Ditelbsen, a professor of climate physics at the University of Copenhagen and one of the study's authors, said: "These are really scary conclusions, but we are confident in the results."
Agreement reached to curb global warming | nrg
Stefan Ramstorf, a professor of ocean physics at the University of Potsdam, who was not involved in the study, said: "There is still a lot of uncertainty about where the tipping point is that will stop ocean currents, but the new study reinforces the concern that it is much closer than we thought."
Another researcher said that "stopping the flow will affect every person on the planet."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us