Unraveling Global Climate Response to the Atlantic Overturning Circulation Collapse with Dr. England

In this episode, we explore the complex world of climate change with distinguished scientist Dr. England. With climate projections indicating a potential weakening or even collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) due to global warming, it's critical to understand the potential ramifications on a global scale. The impacts could range from altered Atlantic Ocean heat transport to changes in Arctic sea ice extent and regional North Atlantic climate. Dr. England's research sheds light on the more far-reaching effects of AMOC collapse, particularly the potential teleconnections to adjacent basins and into the Southern Hemisphere. Through the use of a global climate model, he shows that an AMOC collapse could accelerate the Pacific trade winds and Walker circulation. This change results from excess heat left in the tropical South Atlantic due to AMOC collapse, leading to anomalous atmospheric convection and strengthened Walker circulation and trade winds.Dr. England further discusses other teleconnections, including the weakening of the Indian and South Atlantic subtropical highs and the deepening of the Amundsen Sea Low. These findings provide a vital insight into how the global climate might respond to continued increases in greenhouse gases.Join us as we delve into these pressing issues and their potential impact on our future climate.Keywords: Dr. England, Climate Change, Global Warming, AMOC Collapse, Pacific Trade Winds, Walker Circulation, Teleconnections, Global Climate Response, Greenhouse Gas Increases.Orihuela-Pinto, B., England, M.H. & Taschetto, A.S. Interbasin and interhemispheric impacts of a collapsed Atlantic Overturning Circulation. Nat. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01380-y