The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a crucial component of Earth's climate system, responsible for transporting vast amounts of heat to the northern Atlantic, including via the Gulf Stream. Recent high-resolution 'fingerprint' images reveal a concerning weakening of the AMOC, with evidence suggesting it may be at its weakest in at least a millennium. This development is particularly alarming due to the AMOC's role in moderating Europe's climate. The latest findings, presented by RealClimate, highlight a potential tipping point where the AMOC could completely collapse, which has been consistently demonstrated across various models. The AMOC's 'fingerprint' in sea surface temperature (SST) is now more detailed than ever, showing a clear pattern of cooling in the northern Atlantic and a shift in the Gulf Stream. These findings are supported by satellite sea surface temperature measurements, which further emphasize the AMOC's weakening trend. The study also addresses counter-arguments, such as the increase in Nordic Sea exchange and the use of different time periods, and clarifies the reliability of various AMOC reconstructions. Despite some studies questioning the AMOC's slowdown, the overwhelming evidence points to a weakening AMOC, with potential severe consequences. The urgency of addressing this issue cannot be overstated, as the AMOC's tipping point may already be imminent.
