The ocean in the tropics, by the equator, has become must
saltier over the past 40 years, while the parts of the ocean
close to the poles has become less salty. This shows that
major ocean currents are changing?currents that are a
fundamental part of the weather system here on Earth.
How will a change in ocean currents change the world's
weather? As Whitley and Art Bell wrote in
The Coming Global
Superstorm, the gulf stream is especially important because
it flows north, making Europe much warmer than it would be
otherwise. A change in ocean currents can also affect the
severity of storms, droughts and floods?and well as where
they'll take place. We've already had unusual droughts and
floods all over the world in recent years. Last summer,
swimmers along the Eastern coast complained of super cold
water, which is another indication that ocean currents are
changing. All of this will affect not only where people live, but
where they're able to grow food.
The change in ocean currents begins when warmer weather,
due to trapped greenhouse gases, heightened solar activity,
and other causes, melts the ice at the poles. This newly-
released freshwater dilutes the oceans, pushing the salty
water toward the middle of the planet, where it
concentrates, making the water in that area more salty. The
salinity of the ocean in turn affects the movement of ocean
currents.
To see climate change in action,
click here.
For more information, click here.
