Impact Trust • Working glossary
AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation)
The Atlantic ocean current system that carries warm water north and cold water south.
Details
Our Take
The AMOC is weakening, and if it collapses, the climate map gets redrawn -- areas assumed to stay arable could refreeze. A concrete example of why planning for a single climate scenario is inadequate. Most adaptation planning assumes gradual warming; AMOC disruption would produce abrupt, regionally specific cooling overlaid on a warming planet.
Examples of Use
Climate science, oceanography
Synonyms/Variants
Gulf stream (colloquial, imprecise)
Thermohaline circulation
Typical everyday wording
The ocean conveyor belt that keeps Europe warm
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