TED Talks Daily Is climate change slowing down the ocean? | Susan Lozier
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Feb 21, 2024 
Oceanographer Susan Lozier, a leading expert on ocean overturning circulation, explores the critical interplay between ocean currents and climate change. She reveals how warming waters may slow these essential currents, impacting global climate stability and weather patterns. Lozier emphasizes the urgent need for international collaboration to monitor these changes. Her insights highlight the potential risks of disrupted ocean circulation, urging immediate action to safeguard our planet's oceans and overall climate health.
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Ocean Overturning: A Global Thermostat
- Ocean overturning circulation, a massive current, originates at high latitudes and travels across ocean basins.
- This process redistributes heat, maintaining a temperature balance crucial for life on Earth.
Ocean's Carbon Uptake: A Double-Edged Sword
- The ocean absorbs increasing amounts of atmospheric CO2, currently storing 30% of human-released carbon since the Industrial Revolution.
- While beneficial for atmospheric CO2 levels, this increases ocean acidity, harming marine ecosystems.
Climate Change Threat to Overturning Circulation
- Warming and ice melt decrease surface water density, potentially slowing or stopping ocean overturning.
- This could disrupt climate patterns, causing stronger hurricanes and more intense precipitation.