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In a development that could reshape global climate patterns, researchers have found new evidence suggesting that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—the vast system of ocean currents that includes the Gulf Stream—is showing signs of weakening. This system plays a critical role in regulating temperatures across North America, Europe, and parts of Africa by transporting warm water from the tropics northward and cold water back south.
The study, conducted by a coalition of oceanographers and climate scientists, used deep-sea sensors and satellite data to track subtle shifts in current velocity and salinity levels. Their findings indicate that the AMOC has slowed measurably over the past decade, and under high-emission scenarios, it could shut down entirely after 2100.
Such a collapse would have dramatic consequences. Northern Europe could face significantly colder winters, while parts of West Africa and South America might experience intensified droughts. Sea levels along the U.S. East Coast could rise faster than global averages, and hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin could become more severe.
The AMOC has long been considered one of Earth’s most sensitive climate regulators. Its stability depends on a delicate balance of temperature and salinity, both of which are being disrupted by melting ice sheets and warming oceans. Scientists emphasize that while a complete shutdown is not imminent, the current trajectory demands urgent attention.
This warning adds to a growing body of research urging policymakers to take swift action on emissions and invest in climate resilience. The ocean’s conveyor belt is not just a scientific curiosity—it’s a lifeline for billions of people across multiple continents.