The AMOC Tipping Point Warning System: Indicators for Europe’s Climate Future

In this ClimateGenn episode I speak with Dr René van Westen about his recently published papers with colleagues that identify a physics based method for forecasting the very consequential AMOC Tipping Point. 

LINK TO RESEARCH PAPER: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025JC022651

If or when the AMOC – full name, Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation – collapses, it will lead to North western Europe plunging into freezing conditions with an estimated 20% less rainfall, and widespread societal disruption, especially to food production and energy needs.

In René’s own words: “There is this signal that this may be a potential scenario, which we can’t ignore because the impacts are quite, quite drastic. And therefore it is very worthwhile to know what we can expect as a society. And I hope in the end that I’m wrong also in the predictions, because we don’t want to deal with these kinds of changes because that’s in the end will be very difficult to adapt to.”

In the next episode I am speaking with Professor Paul Behrens, who is the British Academy Global Professor at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford. Paul specialises in exploring the intersections of climate, energy, and food systems, suggesting one proven action that we can all take that could change our course from famine, to one of better health and more abundant and affordable food supply. 

Paul Behrens is also the keynote speaker at next weeks Sustainability In Drinks conference in London where I will also be chairing the high-level panel at the end of the session. If you are in London and work in any aspect of the Drinks Business then do consider coming along. Tickets are available from the SID website.