A New Ice Age For Europe Is Becoming More Likely

As humanity appears all too happy to keep warming up the planet, the consequences of our actions are catching up with us. Recent measurements indicate that climate change appears to negatively affect the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). This ocean current transports warm waters from the equator towards the Earth’s poles. If the AMOC collapses, middle and northern Europe might be in for a new ice age as temperatures could dip by up to 10 degrees Celsius on average. But it’s not just a problem for Europe, it would be a global disaster. Let’s take a look.

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#science #sciencenews #climate #iceage

[SabineHossenfelder]

I guess the summary is: it's complicated.

Personally I think the fact that we're not sure what's happening or what might happen is enough reason to avoid warming the planet further. But I want you to know that the question of what is happening or will happen with the AMOC is far from settled.

[JanSapper]

5:26 „Being punched from left and right doesn’t average out to no punch.“ 😂 I’ll use that.

[Mastermind]

Here in Iceland, we just had the coldest year in decades (2024) meanwhile the world had its warmest year on record (2024). And this isn't just one year, the last few years have been real cold.

[peterleitner-zi]

When there was in Europe the medieval warm period that lasted a few hundred years were occurring the continent bloomed, it was a time of plenty, but when the warm period ended and the mini ice age began it was a time of suffering and starvation… maybe we should enjoy this warm period..,

[biniwi]

In my childhood in Northern Germany, more than 50 years ago, it was totally normal, to have more cold winters and more warm summers than now. We liked this very much.

[foxstele]

At least everywhere won't become a hellish desert wasteland. Some places will become a hellish frozen wasteland.

[Wirmish]

In history, at least 7 times as many people have died of cold than heat.

[midtskogen]

Bottom line: future climate projections are all over the place. Which means that at least some scientists will be right. Not necessarily for the right reasons, though.

[the_oc_brewpub_sound_guy]

Ive been saying this for 20 years. Fossil records show thriving life during MOST of the warm periods ( and they were so much warmer than now ) and near extinction during ice ages (and there were many, there will be many more).

Always worry about the ice ages, rarely do the hot periods lead to mass extinction.

[RickP]

I going to become a woolly mammoth farmer and get ahead of the curve - cows are finished.

[rodmackinnon]

So, You'd basically be just like Canada. Welcome to the club. Pro-tip: plug your car in before bed at night, and winter tires are a bit cheaper if you go down a rim size. Also, just buy the cheap snow brush, they're all junk now.

[_Nordfors]

Fun fact, punch analogy is true. First hand experience sitting between two Irish brothers in a limo, trying to sit forward to break up a conflict.

[JM-mhpp]

I am sorry freezing?
I live in Poland, when I was a kid we would have so much snow it was hard to cross the street, like literally gigantic piles of snow made by snow plows which were trying to keep the roads actually traversable for cars, it was so cold many people could not start their cars, and we had to dress in layers to not freeze.
Today I dressed so lightly it would basically killed me 20 years ago, no snow, with freezing temperatures so rare it actually became a topic for conversations

[thomasjgallagher]

I actually like broccoli done right, and I liked this video... as it was also done properly.

[anna]

When I was studying paleo climates in the 80’s (saying that feels really weird, BTW) what we learned was that every ice age in the Pleistocene was preceded by a significant warming trend, but at the time no one knew why. I remember when I first heard about the possible consequences of melting ice in the arctic shutting down the deep ocean currents, and going “ooh, yeah! Uh-oh.” Thanks for the update. It’s funny, if you serve me broccoli, I’ll eat it, and enjoy it, but I almost never cook it for myself.

[davidleedom]

@SabineHossenfelder I'm just a normie from the States. I just wanted to say I greatly appreciate all you do. I don't always understand everything, but I enjoy the breadth of your topics. The YouTube and especially the World is a better place because you're in it.

[tommyfanzfloppydisk]

one of my life long thoughs is "i've always been so glad that i was born at the tail of highest peak of our civilized world, enough soon to still experience all the commodities/priviledges (like healthcare) and to die before disasters, natural and man supported, struck in."

[BJArkies]

We also had a little ice-age in the 17th century.. Gave us great Dutch ice skating paintings..

[TheTimeshadows]

Not only do I love broccoli, but I am so pleased that you covered this story. Thank you Sabine.

[mrt_]

We are still in an Ice Age btw. An Ice Age is just when there is permanent snow somewhere for the whole year, e.g. glaciers, Antarctica, etc.