Scientists Say a Critical Ocean Current System May Already Be Past the Point of No Return

3 months ago by return2ozma to c/world

Scientists have long debated whether the AMOC is nearing collapse, but the latest findings are certainly alarming.
zifk 79 points 3 months ago

"In a study that has yet to undergo peer review..." tells you all you need to be concerned about for right now. AMOC is a very complex phenomenon and not easy at all to model. All conclusions should be properly vetted before becoming actual news.

path: 0 24686020, hotness: undefined, score: 79, children: 13
abbadon420 32 points 3 months ago

Nah... this is 2026! You can just say things now! Go back to the 90's with your scientific integrity, party pooper.

path: 0 24686020 24686069, hotness: undefined, score: 32, children: 1
hneerqe 6 points 3 months ago

I'm sure gizmodo has it covered

path: 0 24686020 24686069 24686498, hotness: undefined, score: 6, children: 0
Taldan 13 points 3 months ago

There have been dozens of studies indicating issues with AMOC, but because the latest one has yet to be peer reviewed we should do nothing and ignore all the warning signs

IDK, maybe just this once we act early. What's the worst that happens, we reduce pollution a bit? We invest too much into scientific research?

path: 0 24686020 24701319, hotness: undefined, score: 13, children: 1
zifk 2 points 3 months ago

I get that it's easy to to jump to conclusions online but you literally have me all wrong. I work in researching carbon sequestration. As already mentioned in a different comment reply, I'm happy that people are researching AMOC and the consequences its weakening will bring. But, there's a very big difference between saying, "AMOC is weakening and may collapse at some point if things don't change", and "we're already past the point of no return". One is a helpful statement, the other just drums of despair, which isn't a helpful emotion for tackling climate change.

If you look at the pre-print, its written to my eyes in a somewhat unscientific manner relative to most other climate publications, and so I kind of doubt its rigor. If you want an in-depth review, https://www.annualreviews.org/... presents an update article on why exactly making this sort of conclusion is difficult.

path: 0 24686020 24701319 24708175, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 0
Derpenheim 12 points 3 months ago

The AMOC has been in a lot of trouble for years now. Ironically, it was the cleaning up of shipping cargo oil that may have put the final nail. We stopped using a fuel that emitted SO2 into the atmosphere, but that SO2 actually ended up as a sort of shielding from the full effects of the greenhouse effect happening elsewhere over the Atlantic. Without it, temperatures this year and last year absolutely soared

path: 0 24686020 24689615, hotness: undefined, score: 12, children: 1
zifk 4 points 3 months ago

Oh definitely, there's a lot of troubling outcomes and I'm glad the research is being done. I just think news reporting on unreviewed results is good for nothing other than fear mongering. And it's not like that has been effective for other consequences of climate change. Giving people more reasons to 'give up' won't help solve problems.

path: 0 24686020 24689615 24692773, hotness: undefined, score: 4, children: 0
CouncilOfFriends 3 points 3 months ago

I prefer to be concerned only after I notice the water is boiling.

path: 0 24686020 24702335, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 0
discocactus 1 point 3 months ago

Thing about it is, something will happen. Complexity aside. If it changes, the likelihood of a bad outcome is significant.

path: 0 24686020 24710314, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 1
AlteredEgo 1 point 3 months ago

Any dramatic change in nature is almost always bad change, chaos is extremely bad for many parts of civilization.

path: 0 24686020 24710314 24710711, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0
WolfLink 1 point 3 months ago

You can also go find the article and read it and judge it for yourself.

path: 0 24686020 24710580, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0
abc -1 points 3 months ago

But it's amazing for clickwhoring. A lot of value.

path: 0 24686020 24695433, hotness: undefined, score: -1, children: 0
NeilNuggetstrong -3 points 3 months ago

In my groundbreaking (yet to be peer reviewed) research, Ive found evidence of the Moon being 98% Gouda cheese. The remaining 2% is actually avocado toast

path: 0 24686020 24690476, hotness: undefined, score: -3, children: 1
Redjard 2 points 3 months ago

We need to blow up the moon so millenials can afford rent.

path: 0 24686020 24690476 24695171, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 0
grue 32 points 3 months ago

I've been saying it's imminent for a while now, because I've been seeing studies about this come out for years and it seems like every one revises the estimate to be earlier.

path: 0 24688064, hotness: undefined, score: 32, children: 6
SaharaMaleikuhm 13 points 3 months ago

The scientists probably thought we would heed their warnings and reduce our rate of emissions. Those poor fools.

path: 0 24688064 24692672, hotness: undefined, score: 13, children: 4
grue 3 points 3 months ago

Either that or they were subconsciously erring on the side of not seeming alarmist.

path: 0 24688064 24692672 24693039, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 1
Uruanna 2 points 3 months ago

It's simply that their worst case scenario didn't account for the speed of the cascading effect of a couple particular spots.

path: 0 24688064 24692672 24693039 24695349, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 0
anarchy79 1 point 3 months ago

A Canticle for Leibowitz.

path: 0 24688064 24692672 24710840, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 1
anarchy79 1 point 3 months ago path: 0 24688064 24692672 24710840 24710859, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0
anarchy79 1 point 3 months ago

Can the crash and burn of civilization HAPPEN ALREADY?!?

THE SUSPENSE IS FUCKING KILLING ME JUST DO IT FFS

path: 0 24688064 24710831, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0
Blackmist 30 points 3 months ago

Time for the four stage strategy:

Stage 1: Nothing's going to happen.

Stage 2: Something may be going to happen but we should do nothing about it.

Stage 3: Maybe we should do something about it, but there's nothing we can do.

Stage 4: Maybe there was something we could've done, but it's too late now.

I reckon we're about at stage 3 on this one. Still, at least us Europeans won't have to put up with any more heatwaves.

path: 0 24695277, hotness: undefined, score: 30, children: 2
anarchy79 5 points 3 months ago

I'm at stage 5

1000012335

path: 0 24695277 24710815, hotness: undefined, score: 5, children: 0
icelimit 1 point 3 months ago

Because everyone will be popsicles.

path: 0 24695277 24759899, hotness: undefined, score: 1, children: 0
MJF 29 points 3 months ago

Hey! I've seen this movie!

path: 0 24685139, hotness: undefined, score: 29, children: 7
baronvonj 27 points 3 months ago

Two Days Before The Day After Tomorrow!

path: 0 24685139 24685251, hotness: undefined, score: 27, children: 6
marcos 10 points 3 months ago

AKA Yesterday

(All my troubles seemed so far away...)

path: 0 24685139 24685251 24685445, hotness: undefined, score: 10, children: 5
baronvonj 16 points 3 months ago

pst .. it's actually today.

path: 0 24685139 24685251 24685445 24685704, hotness: undefined, score: 16, children: 4
marcos 6 points 3 months ago

Oh, right, apparently I can't count to 2...

That makes more sense, because the troubles are right there.

path: 0 24685139 24685251 24685445 24685704 24686340, hotness: undefined, score: 6, children: 0
Phantaloons 4 points 3 months ago

What's today but yesterday's tomorrow, Mr. Squidward?

path: 0 24685139 24685251 24685445 24685704 24689753, hotness: undefined, score: 4, children: 2
tal 18 points 3 months ago

Reducing emissions as swiftly as possible will be essential to prevent AMOC collapse and other catastrophic impacts of climate change.

1000009404

https://www.cnn.com/...

Almost every Russian region hit by fuel crisis, as Ukraine escalates drone attacks

https://www.cnn.com/...

Iran strikes three vessels near Strait of Hormuz as Trump arrives at NATO summit

path: 0 24685288, hotness: undefined, score: 18, children: 8
GreenBeard 27 points 3 months ago

It's ironic that our tendency for senseless violence may be the only thing that saves us from our tendency for ruinous unchecked greed and gluttony.

path: 0 24685288 24685975, hotness: undefined, score: 27, children: 3
tankfox 7 points 3 months ago

Are you Hubert J. Farnsworth? Because you speak in his voice!

path: 0 24685288 24685975 24686216, hotness: undefined, score: 7, children: 0
ZombieCyborgFromOuterSpace 5 points 3 months ago

If everyone turned violent against the ruling billionaire epstein class it would certainly fix a LOT of problems.

path: 0 24685288 24685975 24690364, hotness: undefined, score: 5, children: 0
SaharaMaleikuhm 3 points 3 months ago

I have never read such an apt and absolutely brutal comment on humans. I tip my imaginary hat to you!

path: 0 24685288 24685975 24692709, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 0
zd9 8 points 3 months ago

How hilarious would it be if humanity averted the very worst effects of climate change purely through dumb, hateful war? I'm very well aware we're fucked as we're likely headed towards the SSP3 to SSP7 projections, but maybe all these wars will escalate to the point that we avoid SSP7+

path: 0 24685288 24685905, hotness: undefined, score: 8, children: 0
victorz 5 points 3 months ago

I think it's already too late. It's already showing the same signs of collapse as the latest simulations, and in real life it's showing these signs an order of magnitude faster than in the simulations (decades instead of centuries).

path: 0 24685288 24685873, hotness: undefined, score: 5, children: 0
hneerqe 3 points 3 months ago

hold your farts. think of those poor private jets and private yachts!

path: 0 24685288 24686560, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 0
Phantaloons 2 points 3 months ago

why stop at Russian oil refineries?

oh no! Capitalism!

path: 0 24685288 24689777, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 0
SillyDude 17 points 3 months ago

Who's ready for AMOC collapse and >5°C el niños?! Its gonna be a wild ride!

path: 0 24687079, hotness: undefined, score: 17, children: 3
cecilkorik 7 points 3 months ago

Are we going to end up with North American monsoon season or the Great North American Desert? Or maybe both at the same time! I'm so excited for all the novelty the climate future holds.

path: 0 24687079 24688418, hotness: undefined, score: 7, children: 0
AA5B -20 points 3 months ago

No one is going to care: it’s more long term than climate change and much harder to conceptualize

Once we’ve stopped the drivers for the current, the water has the inertia to keep moving for a century or more. This not only won’t affect us, but won’t affect our children or grandchildren. People are really bad with such long time periods

path: 0 24687079 24687142, hotness: undefined, score: -20, children: 1
floquant 8 points 3 months ago

Once we’ve stopped the drivers for the current, the water has the inertia to keep moving for a century or more.

You should stop listening to whoever told you this. It makes absolutely no sense.

This not only won’t affect us, but won’t affect our children or grandchildren

Bro, just look around.

path: 0 24687079 24687142 24694805, hotness: undefined, score: 8, children: 0
zd9 15 points 3 months ago

AMOC is extremely important because it spreads nutrients north and mixes cool water in the south, and its collapse will lead to extreme droughts in some areas, floods in others, extreme cold in others, and extreme heat in others, which will lead to agriculture collapse and food security issues, leading to more wars and migration, leading to even more wars, etc.

path: 0 24685948, hotness: undefined, score: 15, children: 0
Phantaloons 3 points 3 months ago

Yep...

path: 0 24689738, hotness: undefined, score: 3, children: 0
Nonconfrontational -8 points 3 months ago

Next they'll tell me that Antarctic sea ice is past the point of no return! Make up your minds climate nerds!

path: 0 24685766, hotness: undefined, score: -8, children: 0
world
world

@lemmy.world

login for more options
58475
34866
9153

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

  • Rule 1: posts have the following requirements:

    • Post news articles only
    • Video links are NOT articles and will be removed.
    • Title must match the article headline
    • Not United States Internal News
    • Recent (Past 30 Days)
    • Screenshots/links to other social media sites (Twitter/X/Facebook/Youtube/reddit, etc.) are explicitly forbidden, as are link shorteners.
  • Rule 2: Do not copy the entire article into your post. The key points in 1-2 paragraphs is allowed (even encouraged!), but large segments of articles posted in the body will result in the post being removed. If you have to stop and think "Is this fair use?", it probably isn't. Archive links, especially the ones created on link submission, are absolutely allowed but those that avoid paywalls are not.

  • Rule 3: Opinions articles, or Articles based on misinformation/propaganda may be removed.

  • Rule 4: Posts or comments that are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, anti-religious, or ableist will be removed. “Ironic” prejudice is just prejudiced.

  • Posts and comments must abide by the lemmy.world terms of service UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 19 2025

  • Rule 5: Keep it civil. It's OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It's NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

  • Rule 6: Memes, spam, other low effort posting, reposts, misinformation, advocating violence, off-topic, trolling, offensive, regarding the moderators or meta in content may be removed at any time.

  • Rule 7: We didn't USED to need a rule about how many posts one could make in a day, then someone posted NINETEEN articles in a single day. Not comments, FULL ARTICLES. If you're posting more than say, 10 or so, consider going outside and touching grass. We reserve the right to limit over-posting so a single user does not dominate the front page.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world

Ask Historians !askhistorians@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/...

  • Consider including the article’s mediabiasfactcheck.com/ link

go to feed...