b'Theceans Engine What Happens If It Stops?The global ocean conveyor belt is a complex system of currents that ow around the world. Driven by changes in water density, this deep-ocean circulation might seemArctic irrelevant at rst glance, but even a slight shiftOceanin the global ocean conveyor belt could cause severe impacts across the planet. A portion of the conveyor in the Atlantic Ocean, termed the AtlanticAtlantic MeridionalOcean Pacic OverturningOceanCirculation (AMOC), serves as the engine for the system. It has slowed 15% since 1950 based on measurements from sea surface temperatures.1 Many researchers tie this slowdown to glacial meltingPacic Ocean Indianin the North Atlantic.OceanAs global temperatures rise, glaciers melt and release cold freshwater into the ocean. This water is far less dense due to lower salt levels, reducing the sinking of cool ocean water. Less warm water comes in from the tropics to replace the sinking water, resulting in weaker AMOC circulation1 that could ultimately jam the rest of the conveyor belt.A collapse of the global ocean WARM WCooling of the Northern Hemisphere.KEY AT1 ERCEurope could become particularly chillyOL(5-10 C cooler). D WATER2 30 inches of sea-level rise on the Eastern Seaboard of North America. 3 Amplication of North Atlantic storms.4 Europes rivers could dry up due to decreased rainfall.5 Many parts of the Southern Hemisphere get hotter.6 Monsoon areas in India and Asia willSOURCESbegin to dry up. 1 Carbon Brief, Atlantic conveyor belt has slowed by 15% since mid-20th century7 Less ocean mixingcurrents deliver2 Yale, How Climate Change Could Jam nutrients, food sources, and oxygen forThe Worlds Ocean Circulationmarine life. Whos Minding the Planet? 21'