World

Gulf Stream Current Collapse Might Cause Climate Chaos In 2025

Global warming may precipitate the collapse of an important ocean current system this century, maybe as early as 2025, resulting in global pandemonium.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which includes the Gulf Stream, controls the climate by bringing warm, tropical waters north and cold water south.

Because of global warming, AMOC was already known to be at its weakest in 1,600 years, and researchers saw warning indications of a tipping point in 2021.

The new study places the collapse between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050 if global carbon emissions are not curbed. Evidence from previous collapses implies temperature shifts of 10 degrees Celsius in a few decades, however, these occurred during ice ages.

“The expected tipping point, given that we continue business as usual with greenhouse gas emissions, is much earlier than we expected”, says co-author Susanne Ditlevsen, a professor of statistics and stochastic models in biology at the University of Copenhagen.

“It wasn’t a result where we said, ‘Oh, yeah, here it is. We were completely perplexed”, Ditlevsen added.

“There is still considerable uncertainty about where the AMOC tipping point is, but the new study adds to the evidence that it is much closer than we thought just a few years ago”, said Stefan Rahmstorf, professor of ocean physics at the University of Potsdam in Germany.

“The scientific evidence now suggests that we cannot rule out reaching a tipping point within the next decade or two”, Rahmstorf added.

Also read: South Africa’s Opposition Demands A BRICS Summit Boycott In Support Of Putin

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi: NDA Government Has Redefined Women-Led Development Over 11 Years

Marking 11 years of the NDA govt at the Centre, PM Modi stated that women-led…

25 mins ago

Team India Begins Training In England Ahead Of Test Series Opener

Team India, led by new captain Shubman Gill, has commenced training in England ahead of…

49 mins ago

Five Districts In Manipur Face Internet Shutdown Following Unrest

Manipur suspended internet in five districts for five days after protests over arrest of a…

3 hours ago

Shashi Tharoor Criticises Pakistan: “In Pakistan You Get Rewarded For Promoting Terrorism”

Shashi Tharoor condemns Pakistan’s treatment of Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US locate Osama…

3 hours ago

How To Read Food Labels & Make Smarter Grocery Choices

Reading food labels helps you make informed, healthier choices by understanding nutrition facts & picking…

4 hours ago

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

16 hours ago