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If you’ve ever wondered why the temperature of the ocean changes depending on where you are and what time of year it is – then the AMOC, or the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, might be your answer.
The ocean makes up 71% of our Earth’s surface, and is not only a selling point for many cities and tourist destinations – but is home to copious amounts of marine life, which helps to keep biodiversity and our ecosystems in check.
In this article, we’ll explain what the AMOC is, why the AMOC is important, and if the AMOC is impacted by climate change.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or the AMOC, refers to the system of ocean currents which circulate within the Atlantic Ocean. Ultimately, the AMOC helps bring warm water to the frigid north and the cool water to the sunny south.
💡Think of the AMOC a lot like leaving a window open for ventilation – as this works to circulate enough air throughout a home or building instead of keeping the room at the same temperature or level of stuffiness.
The AMOC is also commonly referred to as, “the global conveyor belt” – as water travels around this worldwide current resembling the same conveyor belts we see in factories or at the grocery store.
Scientists work to study ocean circulation and patterns in order to accumulate more information about our oceans to remain aware if abnormalities begin to occur – such as with climate change.
👉 Major ocean currents in the AMOC include the North Atlantic Current, Canary Current, Norwegian Current, and Labrador Current.
The AMOC works by circulating water across the Atlantic Ocean, much like your body circulates blood throughout its different central systems and organs.
The AMOC works in five steps:
👉 Did you know that the entire “conveyor belt” process for the AMOC takes around 1,000 years?
The AMOC is pivotal for maintaining the climate, as it helps to move heat from the equator to higher altitudes – such as the Nordic countries that border the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the AMOC has a strong influence over the temperature in Europe – as it helps to regulate the temperature in areas where there is civilization.
The AMOC has been under question in the world of climate science for quite some time – as scientific research for the AMOC can be easily compromised by things such as rapid increases or changes or in temperatures and freshwater from melting glaciers which can dilute the salt content in the ocean current.
However, given its importance in helping to regulate global warming and maintain regional climates – many scientists continue to invest their time and resources into further research for the AMOC, which is funded by the NOAA.
Of all the forces on Earth, one that mankind has learned to not tamper with too much is the Ocean – being such a strong force outsmarting humans all of the time, such as most recently with the Titan submersible on the way to see the Titanic.
However, even climate change is starting to get the best of the ocean – seeing as global temperatures continue to rise, it’s probable that the AMOC could start to slow down. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in its most recent report that the AMOC wouldn’t dissipate this century – but other research challenges this statement.
In fact, recent research has already shown that the AMOC has lost its potency in the last 100 years – but whether it will come to a screeching halt still remains a mystery to scientists. This gives many researchers further incentive to study the AMOC and collect more information to help prepare the world and society for the future impacts of a weakened AMOC.
👉 It is important to remember that oceanographers have only been studying the AMOC consistently since 2004, and while this is enough time to collect data – it is still not a long enough timeframe to make any hypothesis, predictions, or conclusions regarding the future of the AMOC.
Other studies related to the AMOC are equally alarming, such as recent reports that the Gulf Stream could collapse as early as 2025 – which would effect almost everyone in the world. This impact to AMOC would disrupt rain that people in India, South America, and South Africa rely on for crops, increase storms and low temperatures across Europe, and leave the East Coast of the U.S. vulnerable to rising sea levels.
Also, warmer ocean waters near Florida and the Caribbean could result in even more catastrophic hurricanes – another reason to worry about the deleterious effects of a weakening AMOC.
Despite the lack of centuries worth of data on the AMOC, climate models still illustrate that the AMOC will continue to weaken over the next 100 years – especially as global greenhouse gasses continue to be emitted. This is due to the fact that as global warming continues, the surface underneath the ocean will retain this excess heat.
In addition to this, global warming doesn’t only affect temperatures but weather patterns – such as an increase in rainfall and melting glaciers, both of which will disrupt the circulation of the AMOC by making the water lighter.
Ultimately, climate change will have a profound impact on the AMOC – but what does that mean for life on Earth?
If you think a more sporadic AMOC won’t have an effect on your life, think again.
An erratic AMOC would mean multiple lifetimes to come with abnormally cool or warm water, which could harm marine life, tourism, and even fishing – something essential for many countries residing alongside the ocean for their economy.
This would be a nightmare for poorer countries, especially as South Africa already continues to deal with load shedding – a concept where the power is randomly cut off for several hours every day in order to distribute dwindling power sources evenly across the country.
The effects of a weakened AMOC are already being felt by society and the economy. In fact, the impact of a slower AMOC is already being felt on fisheries – such as with lobsters and scallops, both popular seafoods that many countries alongside the Atlantic depend on for income.
Many people will view the ocean as too strong of a force to even make an attempt to support, but the truth is – human activity and increased emissions have affected the AMOC, which means there are things we can do to reverse our impact from getting any worse.
Here are just a few things we could do to protect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) from weakening any further:
Ultimately, it is vital that we as a planet work together to address the AMOC – as it will continue to impact our lives and force us to realise how interconnected our planet truly is.
If reading this article about the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or the AMOC, has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!
It can be overwhelming to figure out all of the best ways to make sure your company doesn’t impact imperative systems like the AMOC, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Click here to schedule a demo to see how Greenly can help you find ways to improve energy efficiency and decrease the dependency on fossil fuels in your own company.
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