They have actual measurements of the circulation 1,600 years ago, right? Not models? BTW, if we’re talking 1,600 years ago, that was heading from the Roman Warm Period (caused by fossil fueled chariots and too much electricity at the Coliseum) into the Dark Ages. But, you know, the Cult of Climastrology is nothing without Scary Stories
Atlantic Ocean circulation is the weakest in at least 1,600 years, study finds – here’s what that means for the climate
An influential current system in the Atlantic Ocean, which plays a vital role in redistributing heat throughout our planet’s climate system, is now moving more slowly than it has in at least 1,600 years. That’s the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience from some of the world’s leading experts in this field.
Scientists believe that part of this slowing is directly related to our warming climate, as melting ice alters the balance in northern waters. Its impact may be seen in storms, heat waves and sea-level rise. And it bolsters concerns that if humans are not able to limit warming, the system could eventually reach a tipping point, throwing global climate patterns into disarray.
The Gulf Stream along the U.S. East Coast is an integral part of this system, which is known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. It was made famous in the 2004 film “The Day After Tomorrow,” in which the ocean current abruptly stops, causing immense killer storms to spin up around the globe, like a super-charged tornado in Los Angeles and a wall of water smashing into New York City.
Good grief. They actually mentioned a fiction movie to make their point. Did they forget that, according to the movie, the world went into an ice age? In the span of days, if memory serves.
Recent research has shown that the circulation has slowed down by at least 15% since 1950. Scientists in the new study say the weakening of the current is “unprecedented in the past millennium.”
They know this how, exactly? Do they have specific data from taking measurements in the past? Considering that people were not really sailing the Atlantic 1,600 years ago, the answer would be “no” and “they’re making crap up.”
The first significant change in their records of ocean circulation happened in the mid 1800s, after a well-known regional cooling period called the Little Ice Age, which spanned from the 1400s to the 1800s. During this time, colder temperatures frequently froze rivers across Europe and destroyed crops.
So, this is more about cooling?
“With the end of the Little Ice Age in about 1850, the ocean currents began to decline, with a second, more drastic decline following since the mid-20th century,” said Rahmstorf. That second decline in recent decades was likely due to global warming from the burning and emissions of fossil fuel pollution.
Oh, no, it’s all your fault. Of course, the always alarmist UK Guardian has to have their say. And you’ll love the subhead
Changes in Atlantic currents may have dire climate implications for the next century
Without modifying human behaviour we run the risk of violent weather swings and a drastic effect on crops and ocean life
Let’s start by requiring all news outlets to stop using fossil fuels to gather and disseminate the news, stop using anything other than renewables to broadcast it on TV and the Internet. And charge them carbon taxes. They’d be good with that, right? Funny how it always comes down to enabling Government to force people to change their lives.
Read: Your Fault: Atlantic Circulation Weakest In 1,600 Years »