New research shows that efforts to reduce air pollution in Europe, North America and East Asia could accelerate weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The ocean current plays a key role in regulating Europe’s climate. Scientists used multiple climate models to assess the impact under continued high greenhouse gas emissions.
The study found that by mid-century, the AMOC would weaken by an additional third compared with scenarios where aerosol pollution remains higher. Aerosols from industrial sources reflect sunlight and help cool the North Atlantic, supporting the current’s strength. Their removal unmasks additional warming that disrupts this balance.