But scientists are concerned about the very real possibility of melting ice shutting down the Gulf Stream, the system of currents that help warm the northern hemisphere.

These currents are basically a global conveyor belt, moving warm water near the ocean’s surface from the tropics northwards to the northern hemisphere. It then goes through a cycle that helps warm the northern hemisphere.

As oceanic ice ice forms, it leaves behind salt in the ocean waters. A large amount of salt in the water means it becomes denser and sinks. It’s then carried southwards in the ocean depths. Eventually, the water gets pulled back up toward the surface and heats up again in what’s known as upwelling, completing a neat little cycle. 

Without the heat from these currents, average temperatures in the northern hemisphere could drop by several degrees. North America and parts of Asia and Europe would all be impacted.

Scientists warn that a sudden shutdown of Atlantic Ocean currents is looking more likely than ever as recent studies identify a tipping point to disaster looming in the not-too-distant future.

The study’s lead author Rene van Westen, an oceanographer and climate scientist, says, “We are moving closer to the collapse, but we’re not sure how much closer.” 

He states: “We are moving closer (to the collapse), but we’re not sure how much closer,” adding that when the planet reaches this “tipping point” also depends on the rate of climate change we as a species are introducing.

As more ice melts off the coast of Greenland due to climate change, more freshwater flows into the North Atlantic and slows the cycle the AMOC carries out. Previous thinking had it that an abrupt shutdown of the AMOC could be on the horizon in the next few centuries.

The Dutch research team designed a computer modeling simulation that they used to measure what a sudden weakening of the AMOC might look like and the impact it could potentially have. 

The model projected this would lead to the European climate cooling by around 1.8°F (1°C) per decade, with some regions experiencing over 5.4°F (3°C) cooling per decade. This is a significantly more rapid change than today’s global warming of about 0.36 F (0.2 C) per decade.

This would have knock-on effects like changing global rainfall patterns and disrupting rainforests, with some scientists believing these massive climate changes could lead to catastrophic food and water shortages.

But the AMOC is rapidly approaching a tipping point. This is a stark reminder, if one were needed, that the potential consequences of our planet’s changing climate could be catastrophic. It’s important we take steps to slow or reverse man-made changes to the planet to prevent humanity from plunging into a new ice age.