The Atlantic Overturning Circulation (AMOC) transports seawater across the Atlantic Ocean. For us in Western, Central and Northwestern Europe, it is a hot water heating system: it ensures that our winters are mild and the seas are generally ice-free in winter. AMOC is one of the basic elements of our earth's climate system. As a result of changing environmental conditions, it could "overturn", ie significantly weaken or even stop.

A study published in February in the journal "Science Advances" now provides further clear evidence that the Atlantic overturning circulation could indeed be overturning. We explain how likely this scenario is and what it could mean for us. (dr. Kilian Loesch, more at utopia.de)