Environment Alert: The ocean current North America and Europe depend on is slowing down, and climate change may be to blame

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation has declined in strength by 15 percent since the mid-20th century to a "new record low," scientists conclude in a study published Wednesday. The "AMOC" brings warm water from the equator up toward the Atlantic's northern reaches and cold water back down through the deep ocean. The current is partly why Western Europe enjoys temperate weather, and it has a major effect on East Coast fisheries in the United States. Meteorologists are linking changes in North Atlantic ocean temperatures to recent summer heat waves in Europe, while U.S. fisheries have seen major disruption as well, with the cod fishery collapsing as lobster populations boom off Maine's coast. Some of the AMOC's disruption may be driven by the melting ice sheet of Greenland, another consequence of climate change that is altering the region's water composition and interrupts the natural processes.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Environment Alert Wed, Apr 11, 2018, 1:01 PM     The ocean current North America and Europe depend on is slowing down, and climate change may be to blame The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation has declined in strength by 15 percent since the mid-20th century to a "new record low," scientists conclude in a study published Wednesday. The "AMOC" brings warm water from the equator up toward the Atlantic's northern reaches and cold water back down through the deep ocean. The current is partly why Western Europe enjoys temperate weather, and it has a major effect on East Coast fisheries in the United States. Meteorologists are linking changes in North Atlantic ocean temperatures to recent summer heat waves in Europe, while U.S. fisheries have seen major disruption as well, with the cod fishery collapsing as lobster populations boom off Maine's coast. Some of the AMOC's disruption may be driven by the melting ice sheet of Greenland, another consequence of climate change that is altering the region's water composition and interrupts the natural processes. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071