Europe faces potential “ice age” as ocean collapses

Scientists like Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Head of Earth System Analysis at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Researchhas alerted the scientific community and European governments to potentially drastic climate changes on the continent.

In fact, a study of University of Copenhagen and the Niels Bohr Institute in Norwaypublished in the scientific journal Nature Communications, warns about the possible collapse of North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)) in the next decade, which could start a new ice age across much of Europe.

What is AMOC?

AMOC is an important component of the global climate system. To understand it easily, read this article works like a greatconveyer beltWarm water moves from the tropics to the North Atlantic, where it cools, becomes denser, and sinks, moving south into the deeper ocean.

This process, according to ‘El Independiente’, Helps to balance the temperature and climate in Europe and other areas of the North Atlantic, but also in the warmer regions of the planet. In addition, Oxygenates the sea floorwhich allows life to exist in the depths.

While the AMOC plays a regulatory role, rising global temperatures and melting glaciers, particularly in Greenland, are causing greater flooding. Fresh water in the North Atlantic.But what is the problem? The saltier the water, the denser it is.. As glaciers melt, fresh water interferes with both elements, slowing or even stopping the sinking of the AMOC.

A collapse that seems imminent

Professor Stefan Rahmstorf explains that there is aThere is a 35% to 45% chance that the AMOC will collapse in the 2030s. This situation could lead to a severe cold snap in Europe, similar to the period between the 14th and 19th centuries known as the Cold War. Little Ice Age. The water in the North Atlantic is not cooling enough and cannot sink, putting all of this at risk.

The implications of such a change would be enormous. A cold of this magnitude would affect not only the climate, but also agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, and the overall economy. It has been estimated that, in general terms, Temperatures will drop by 3ºC per decadeWhich would turn Europe into a “deserted” place.

In addition, cities that are not accustomed to winter conditions will have to adapt their infrastructure to deal with ice and snow, as indicated Antonio Turiel, Scientific Researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences of the CSIC“All of Europe from Montpellier up will be buried under snow.”

The question before us, however, is whether there is any way to avoid this collapse, but everything indicates that it is imminent. Study by the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen reinforces these concerns. His research uses Early warning signs Based on increasing variance and autocorrelation to predict significant changes in the AMOC. This is what the data suggest The AMOC could collapse between 2025 and 2095 If current emissions and global warming trends continue.

Some scientists suggest that there is still not enough evidence about this phenomenon. For example, he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)In its latest report, it indicated that it does not expect any sudden changes in the spread of the AMOC current.

Precedents in history

Study recalls similar, bimodal nature of AMOC events Dansgaard-OeschgerSudden climate change in the past Ice Age, 25,000 years ago. In addition, scientists say the AMOC has collapsed before, such as during Younger Dryas 13,000 years ago. During this event, Europe suffered from extreme snowfall and cold winters and the stream had to wait for 1,200 years to become active again.

There have also been recent events such as Henry. According to Stefan Rahmstorf, huge masses of ice slid into the ocean and moved across the Atlantic, leaving traces of ice on the sea floor that melted, disrupting the AMOC.

Heinrich’s events Even far across the Atlantic, this had significant global climate effects Tropical rain belts affected Which results from the upward movement of warm air above the “thermal equator”.

The potential collapse of the AMOC and the consequent loss of glaciers in Europe represents a significant threat that requires urgent attention and action. Mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts will be crucial to ensure a sustainable and livable future for the European continent and the whole world.