A group of scientists has issued a stark warning regarding the underappreciated risk of a collapse of ocean currents in the Atlantic, which could have dire consequences for Nordic countries. Their open letter was addressed to the Nordic Council during its gathering in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The scientists highlighted the potential for significant changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital system of ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, that transports heat to northern regions. They emphasized that a collapse of this system, which has already shown signs of weakening, is one of the critical tipping points that could trigger cascading environmental effects.
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While the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggested that an abrupt collapse is unlikely before 2100, the researchers argue that recent studies indicate the risk has been significantly underestimated. They warned that the tipping point could be reached within the next few decades, with catastrophic consequences for the Nordic region, including severe cooling and extreme weather events that could threaten agricultural viability in northwestern Europe.
The scientists also cautioned that the impacts would extend globally, potentially causing shifts in tropical rainfall patterns and significant increases in sea levels. The Nordic Council summit, which includes leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, is currently taking place, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also in attendance.
