A new study in Environmental Research Letters warns that climate change could disrupt the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which includes the Gulf Stream. This system regulates global climate. Scientists predict severe weakening by 2100, and even total collapse under high-emission scenarios.

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• AMOC regulates Earth’s heat by moving warm water north, cold water south
• Study warns drastic weakening by 2100, collapse possible in high emissions
• Shutdown risk also seen in some intermediate, low-emission scenarios
• Collapse may cause extreme drying, harsher winters in Europe
• Tropical rainfall patterns could shift dramatically
• Warmer, lighter, less saline waters reduce vertical circulation
• Feedback loop pushes AMOC closer to tipping point
• Tipping point may occur in next few decades
• North Atlantic could lose up to 20% heat transport capacity
• Scientists urge urgent cuts in fossil fuel use to reduce risk