Professor David Thornalley Joins Global Call for Urgent Action on Atlantic Circulation Decline

Professor David Thornalley has co-signed a critical open letter with 44 climate experts from 15 countries, calling on the Nordic Council of Ministers to take urgent action to safeguard the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

The letter, presented at the Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavík, Iceland, appeals to the Council to initiate a risk assessment of the AMOC’s weakening and to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks involved.

The letter draws attention to the potentially catastrophic consequences if the AMOC – a key ocean circulation system responsible for regulating climate patterns – continues to decline.

The scientists warn that further weakening could trigger significant changes in weather patterns, extreme temperature shifts, rising sea levels, and even disruption to marine ecosystems.

The open letter, organised by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf of the University of Potsdam, highlights research showing that the AMOC is approaching a tipping point, beyond which it could enter an irreversible decline.

The letter urges ministers to act swiftly, stating: "We appeal to the Nordic Council of Ministers to take this risk seriously, initiate a risk assessment, and take steps to minimise this risk as much as possible."

Professor Thornalley, an expert in paleoclimate research, has contributed to evidence indicating that the AMOC is vulnerable to disruption due to human-induced climate change.

His research, which examines historical shifts in ocean circulation patterns, is central to understanding how the current decline could impact future global climate conditions.

Professor Thornalley states that “Our records place recent Atlantic circulation change in a longer-term context. Although the details of exactly how things are changing are still being researched and debated, it is clear that unprecedented changes in Atlantic circulation are occurring. This raises warning signs about the future.”

The Arctic Circle conference, a prominent gathering for experts in climate and environmental science, served as the platform for the release of the letter.

The scientists called for urgent international cooperation to reduce carbon emissions and protect vital marine environments, emphasising the pivotal role the AMOC plays in maintaining global climate stability.

Further information

• Read the Open Letter (.pdf)
• See the Press Release (.pdf)
• Visit Professor Thornalley's Academic Staff Profile