New Study: The Collapse of the Gulf Stream Estimated Between 2025 and 2050

The Gulf Stream, a vital system of ocean currents, is at risk of collapsing due to climate change. A new study suggests that the Gulf Stream system could collapse as soon as 2025, bringing catastrophic climate impacts. The shutting down of the vital ocean currents, called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc) by scientists, would have enormous implications, including influencing temperature and precipitation patterns around the world. The Gulf Stream is already at its slowest point in at least 1,600 years, and climate scientists have detected warning signs of its collapse[1].

The new analysis estimates a timescale for the collapse of between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050, if global carbon emissions are not reduced. Evidence from past collapses indicates changes of temperature of 10C in a few decades, although these occurred during ice ages. The analysis is based on greenhouse gas emissions rising as they have done to date. If emissions do start to fall, as intended by current climate policies, then the world would have more…