Climate scientists urge nordic ministers to act on threat to Atlantic ocean current
More than 40 climate scientists have called on Nordic ministers to take urgent action to prevent global warming from disrupting the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial system of ocean currents. In a letter addressed to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the researchers warned that a collapse of this current could lead to severe weather changes and devastating impacts on ecosystems, particularly in Nordic countries.
The AMOC is vital for transporting warm water into the North Atlantic, contributing to Europe’s relatively mild climate. The scientists highlighted that disruptions could jeopardize living conditions for communities in the Arctic and beyond. “Such an ocean circulation change would have devastating and irreversible impacts especially for Nordic countries, but also for other parts of the world,” the letter stated.
Researchers pointed out that several studies indicate the risk of significant changes to the Atlantic current may be underestimated, with the potential to reach a tipping point in the coming decades. Professor Peter Ditlevsen of the University of Copenhagen noted, “If Britain and Ireland become like northern Norway, that has tremendous consequences. Our finding is that this is not a low probability. This is not something you easily adapt to.”
The implications of a collapse could be far-reaching, including increased cooling in the Northern Hemisphere, rising sea levels in the Atlantic, decreased precipitation in Europe and North America, and altered monsoon patterns in South America and Africa. According to the UK’s Met Office, these changes would profoundly impact global weather systems.
The scientists’ concerns are further underscored by the record global subsidies for fossil fuels, which reached $7 trillion in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund. Professor Stefan Rahmstorf from Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research criticized these subsidies, stating they reflect a lack of credible efforts to avert a climate catastrophe.
The Nordic Council, comprised of Denmark, Sweden, and three autonomous territories, is urged to consider implementing measures that could include calls for significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. As climate challenges intensify, the time for decisive action is critical to safeguard the future of both Nordic nations and the planet.
