#81: How Slowing Ocean Currents are Rewriting Climate Predictions — Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

Hello Earthlings! 🌊 This week on Earthlings 2.0, we dive into the deep blue with Professor Matthew England, an expert in ocean and climate dynamics. Our warming oceans are doing a lot of heavy lifting for us, absorbing over 90% of trapped heat from greenhouse gasses. But there’s a cost, and we're already seeing a 30% slowdown in the critical Atlantic overturning circulation—a shift climate scientists once thought would take another 100 years!

Together, we explore how this slowdown affects everything, from extreme weather patterns to coral reefs and fisheries. Professor England explains the complex and pressing implications of ocean acidification, sea level rise, and the future of our climate systems. Yet, he ends on a hopeful note, predicting a tipping point in global energy transition, away from fossil fuels, that could shift humanity onto a path toward a more sustainable future.

Key Points

Accelerated Ocean Circulation Slowdown: The Atlantic overturning circulation has already slowed by 30%, a shift scientists initially predicted would happen closer to the end of the century. This slowdown has significant impacts on global climate, contributing to extreme weather and heat retention in tropical oceans.
Warming Oceans and Increased Storm Intensity: Our oceans absorb more than 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gasses, intensifying storms and contributing to the rapid escalation of hurricanes, with categories intensifying quickly.
Ocean Acidification and Marine Life Stress: Oceans are acidifying due to increased CO₂ absorption, which weakens the shells of marine life and disrupts ecosystems, notably causing frequent coral bleaching events.
Disruptions to Global Weather Patterns: Slower ocean circulation is shifting weather patterns, affecting rainfall distribution and altering agricultural suitability worldwide. This may lead to unpredictable food production areas and extreme weather where it’s least expected.

Voices on The Show:

Professor Matthew England, Professor of Ocean and Climate Dynamics at the University of New South Wales Center for Marine Science and Innovation
UNSW Profile

Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
LinkedIn: Lisa Ann Pinkerton
X - Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Instagram - @LisiAnni
Technica Communications
Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

Web Resources:

NOAA - Climate Change and Hurricanes

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