Is Earth's Largest Heat Transfer Really Shutting Down?
PBS Terra・2 minutes read
Oceans absorb 90% of heat from rising greenhouse gas emissions, setting record global atmospheric temperatures and heat waves. Scientists warn that the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) due to factors like melting ice sheets could lead to significant climate changes and exacerbate global warming.
Insights
- Oceans absorb 90% of heat from rising greenhouse gas emissions due to water's high heat capacity.
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucial for regulating heat and may be at risk of collapse, potentially leading to significant climate changes and impacting global ocean circulation.
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Recent questions
What absorbs most heat from greenhouse gas emissions?
Oceans
When were record global atmospheric temperatures set?
July 3rd, 2023
What is the cold blob near Greenland?
Cooling anomaly
What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?
Ocean current system
What could happen if the AMOC collapses?
Climate changes and ecosystem impacts
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Summary
00:00
"Ocean Heat Absorption and AMOC Collapse"
- Oceans absorb 90% of heat from rising greenhouse gas emissions due to water's high heat capacity.
- Record global atmospheric temperatures were set on July 3rd, 2023, followed by consecutive records on July 4th, 5th, and 6th.
- The ocean simultaneously set heat wave records during this period.
- A cold blob near Greenland is one of the few places on Earth that has cooled since the Industrial Revolution.
- Scientists view the cold blob as a potential sign of a vital earth system nearing collapse.
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucial for regulating heat and may be at risk of collapse.
- The AMOC is slowing due to factors like Greenland's melting ice sheets, impacting global ocean circulation.
- A collapse of the AMOC could lead to significant climate changes, affecting temperatures, rainfall patterns, and marine ecosystems.
- A weaker AMOC could also reduce carbon uptake by oceans, exacerbating global warming.
