Gulf Stream
*update*
Avoid Gulf stream disruption at all costs, scientists warn
How close the world is to a catastrophic collapse of giant ocean currents is unknown, making halting global warming more critical than ever, scientists say
theguardian.com/...
Gulf Stream current at its weakest in 1,600 years,
studies show
.theguardian.com/...
Warm current that has historically caused dramatic changes in climate is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown and may be less stable than thought - with potentially severe consequences
Hansen et al. 2015 found, that the shutdown or substantial slowdown of the AMOC, besides possibly contributing to extreme end-Eemian events, will cause a more general increase of severe weather.
.wikipedia
A shutdown or slowdown of the thermohaline circulation is an effect of global warming on a major ocean circulation.
Data from NASA in 2010 suggested that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) had not slowed down, but may have actually sped up slightly since 1993.[1] A 2015 study suggested that the AMOC has weakened by 15-20% in 200 years.[2]
wikipedia.
Multiple Effects
Global warming could, via a shutdown of the thermohaline circulation, trigger cooling in the North Atlantic, Europe, and North America.[10][11] This would particularly affect areas such as the British Isles, France and the Nordic countries, which are warmed by the North Atlantic drift.[12][13] Major consequences, apart from regional cooling, could also include an increase in major floods and storms, a collapse of plankton stocks, warming or rainfall changes in the tropics or Alaska and Antarctica, more frequent and intense El Niño events due to associated shutdowns of the Kuroshio, Leeuwin, and East Australian Currents that are connected to the same thermohaline circulation as the Gulf Stream, or an oceanic anoxic event — oxygen (O
2) below surface levels of the stagnant oceans becomes completely depleted — a probable cause of past mass extinction events.[14]en.m.wikipedia.org/...
U.K. and Europe
Effects on United States
A study published in 2016 found further evidence for a considerable impact from sea level rise for the U.S. East Coast. The study confirms earlier research findings which identified the region as a hotspot for rising seas, with a potential to divert 3–4 times in the rate of rise, compared to the global average. The researchers attribute the possible increase to an ocean circulation mechanism called deep water formation, which is reduced due to AMOC slow down, leading to more warmer water pockets below the surface. Additionally, the study noted, "Our results suggest that higher carbon emission rates also contribute to increased [sea level rise] in this region compared to the global average."[9]
wikipedia.org/...
Links
columbia.edu:
Could Climate Change Shut Down the Gulf Stream?
e360.yale.edu:
How Climate Change Could Jam The World’s Ocean Circulation
Global Ocean Circulation Appears To Be Collapsing Due To A Warming Planet
visibleearth.nasa.gov/...
Climate change
Scientists Say A Fluctuating Jet Stream May Be Causing Extreme Weather Events
A new study suggests that the polar jet stream has been fluctuating more than normal as it passes over the parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and that's affecting weather in Europe and North America.www.npr.org/...
Some sources of urban pollution :
Wood fires fuel climate change – UN
.theguardian.com/…
Wood burning
Once they have exited your chimney, the toxic gases (e.g. benzene) and particles that make up smoke freely pass back into your home and into the homes of others. (Research shows that nearly 70 percent of chimney smoke reenters nearby buildings.) Children who live in homes with active fireplaces or woodstoves, or in areas where wood burning is common, suffer a higher incidence of asthma, cough, bronchitis, nocturnal awakening, and compromised lung function. Among adults, wood burning is associated with more-frequent emergency room visits and hospital admissions for respiratory illness, along with increased mortality from heart attacks. The inhalation of wood smoke, even at relatively low levels, alters pulmonary immune function, leading to a greater susceptibility to colds, flus, and other respiratory infections. All these effects are borne disproportionately by children and the elderly.samharris.org/...
Aren’t there more important environmental issues
to worry about?
When it comes to air pollution, not really.
In many locations, such as the San Francisco Bay Area, wood burning is the single largest source of hazardous particle pollution during winter, creating even more particle pollution than vehicles and industry.
In many areas, wood burning is also one of the most significant sources of toxins such as dioxin.www.familiesforcleanair.org/...
There’s also increasing concern about pollution from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Are we talking about the same risks?
A considerable fraction of air pollution in places like the San Francisco Bay Area comes from wood smoke from households, especially during the winter. The same is true in many other parts of the country. But it has proved difficult both technically and politically to control wood smoke from households. Many Americans seem to feel they have a right to burn whatever they want in their own homes, but this comes up against the right of their neighbors to be protected from pollution.
www.berkeleywellness.com/...
Other links
The CO2 Coalition is a think tank that promotes climate change skepticism. The coalition uses "academics-for-hire" to promote the benefits of increased carbon dioxide emissionspolluterwatch.org › CO2-Coalition
LINKS
March for Science: April 14
Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution: Countdown to April 22.