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Failing Ocean Current Raises Fears of Mini Ice Age
Designadrug writes "This article from Newscientist paints a picture of a major climate control mechanism teetering on the brink:
"The ocean current that gives western Europe its relatively balmy climate is stuttering, raising fears that it might fail entirely and plunge the continent into a mini ice age. The dramatic finding comes from a study of ocean circulation in the North Atlantic, which found a 30% reduction in the warm currents that carry water north from the Gulf Stream.""
But the earth isn't supposed to regulate itself! We're making it hotter! OH NOES!!!1 Seriously, who wouldn't expect something like this to happen. The temperature differential that drives that current has shrunk slightly and therefore as lost some momentum. Then Europe gets cold for a while, things even out, and everyone is happy. Except 50 cent. because his game is stupid.
cor blimey it's cold!
... but as always, scientists require PROOF before saying anything loud enough to be heard. How would you recommend getting more warm water? Maybe if you dump a bunch of X-Box 360's into the current, it'll heat right up again.
I like to place meaningful quotes in my sig, so people will know that I know what meaningful quotes are.
Thank you ocean currents!
Ocean is land, covered with water.
Wait,
First Microsoft, now scientists? Noooooooooooo!
Dashboard Widgets
...is the "price" of air pollution, well, you'll pardon me if I keep my old Pontiac. ;)
Drive a Hummer.
(Plus it comes with a 12,000 LB wench, think of all the beer that could serve, Germany)
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
Oh, what was it... oh yeah! Day After Tomorrow.
Is this supposed to be news? Because I thought climatologist have been talking about this potential for awhile. At least before "Day After Tomorrow".
What's next? "Scientist think that Birds evolved from Dinosaur like ancestors?"
I am unamerican, and proud of it!
Is there anything it CAN'T do? Ice ages here, mega-deserts there... Besides, let's say the ice caps DO melt, and we lose a litle coastline. Big deal, over the ~150 years that takes, we'll clear the lower-lying cities out, plenty of time for that. Just think of the possibilities, though. Far more of the earth's surface might become habitable! The increased heat might spur mega growth of flora, turning the southeastern United States (and other areas) into tropical rainforests! Is all climate change bad? Varka
...I live in Canada; and well, all I see is Winter around me for six months or more. Mini Ice-Age? We just call that "Hockey Season" and grab a beer :|
Wouldn't it be more appropriate for this to be frosty piss?
Not to worry - Here at Slashdot, such disclaimers are considered credentials.
I suggest you read Slashdot
That's my left nut you're twisting - would you mind easing off, please?
What we really need is to keep our albedo levels higher.
It's Europe so no Americans will be affected.
You've got it backwards. The US overthrew the country to decrease the oil supply, so that prices would increase, and boy did it work out well for the oil companies.
See Iraq was dumping oil on the market to buy food. The US tried to keep Iraq from being able to sell oil for food but the UN approved it. This drove oil prices down. So the Big oil guys tapped the boys they paid for in the White House to fix it.
"The last thing I want to do is deal with a bunch of people who want something."
Major Major