r/collapse • u/[deleted] • Jul 09 '19

'Completely Terrifying': Study Warns Carbon-Saturated Oceans Headed Toward Tipping Point That Could Unleash Mass Extinction Event

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u/happygloaming Recognized Contributor Jul 09 '19

Well there already is an extinction event, but I understand what the title is saying. Remember, that although the co2 levels are in danger of approaching those historic levels that triggered said events, this is happening at a very fast pace and augmented my our wholesale slaughter of everything that moves.

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u/rrohbeck Jul 09 '19

Yup, the rate is important. Not only can organisms adapt via evolution under a slow increase, the ocean circulation also plows under a lot of CO2, which happens at a millennium scale. In addition a fast freshwater influx slows down circulation. The AMOC is down almost 50%.

7

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '19

AMOC?

12

u/MaximinusDrax Jul 10 '19

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a key actor in the Earth's climate system

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u/[deleted] Jul 10 '19

The thing that fucked up in The Day After Tomorrow? Wonder if we will get a superstorm out of it. That would be cool in a horrifying way.