The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents, like a conveyor belt, driven by differences in temperature and salt content. As warm water flows northwards it cools and some evaporation occurs, which increases the amount of salt. Low temperature and a high salt content make the water denser, and this dense water sinks deep into the ocean. The cold, dense water
slowly spreads southwards until it is warm enough to rise back to the surface in a process called upwelling. This natural circulation system is crucial for the mixing of heat and nutrients throughout the ocean and contributes to our climate. The AMOC regulates the climate as it brings warmer water to the north and colder water to the south. Climate change poses a major threat to this very important process as it is melting the polar ice caps. The ice in the northern part of the Earth is what allows this circulation to occur. As the warmer water is moved north it gets cooled by the ice, without that ice there would be nothing to cool the water. The AMOC has been getting weaker and weaker due to global warming and scientists believe that it is reaching a threshold at which it will not be able to return to full strength. If nothing changes in the near future, the AMOC will be headed towards a full shut down and the climates will become much more extreme on both sides. The AMOC is just yet another example of something that is in danger if we don't begin to stop and reverse climate change. The solutions are the same as other climate change-related problems because each problem is focused around the Earth warming because of humans. The AMOC is a crucial part of creating a climate that humans can survive in and it must be preserved.
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