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Monday, 12 February 2024

Only 1700 years to go



Atlantic ocean at threat of collapse, study finds

The system that circulates water in the Atlantic, known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is heading for a tipping point, according to new research...

Andrew Watson is a Royal Society Research Professor and professor at the University of Exeter who said in a statement: “This sounds alarming, but it's important to note that this is not the same as saying collapse is going to happen imminently.

"They have to run their model for a long time (1700 years) and push it quite hard to make the collapse happen, so, assuming they are right, the ‘route’ could still be a long one and there may be time for us to change it."


Too ludicrous to analyse, apart from suggesting that those who come up with junk like this could be employed more productively. Filling in potholes would be a start.

The headline is ludicrous too.

8 comments:

DiscoveredJoys said...

The Sun will expand into a red giant in 5 billion years destroying all life on earth so we must all install heatpumps right now!!11!!!

A K Haart said...

DJ - maybe solar panels will give out enough power for those heat pumps to remove all that excess red giant warmth from outside. Houses should be really toasty then.

Sam Vega said...

"They have to run their model for a long time (1700 years) and push it quite hard to make the collapse happen..."

I assume he means that they have to run the model so as to simulate what would happen in reality over 1700 years. Which probably took a few seconds of computer time in the real world.

At least we don't have to pay them for 1700 years of time and effort.

A K Haart said...

Sam - that's what it means and presumably pushing it hard means making some iffy assumptions. Probably pointless.

Doonhamer said...

Andy was formerly Professor with the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia. Nudge, nudge, wink wink, say no more.
Say no more.
From where, at Exeter, he has geographically, at least physically, distanced himself.

A K Haart said...

Doonhamer - he can always visit the Exeter Met Office for some eco-gossip.

Tammly said...

If you push an infinite number professors with an infinite number of climate models, eventually they will devise the definitive tipping point for everything.

A K Haart said...

Tammly - rather like monkeys and typewriters eventually coming up with all of Shakespeare's plays.