Experts such as Prof Stefan Rahmstorf and Prof Sybren Drijfhout express shock and heightened concern over these findings, noting that the risk of collapse is higher than previously thought, with early signs of decline already observed in deep North Atlantic measurements, emphasizing the urgency of reducing emissions.

The study warns of the possibility of reaching a 'tipping point' within the next 10 to 20 years, after which the collapse of the AMOC would become inevitable due to self-reinforcing feedback mechanisms, underscoring the critical need for immediate climate action.

Recent research indicates a 70% chance that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital ocean current system that influences climate and weather patterns across Europe and beyond, could collapse due to rising carbon emissions.

Even under moderate or low emission scenarios, there remains a substantial risk (37% and 25%, respectively) of AMOC collapse, which could lead to severe consequences such as disrupted tropical rainfall, extreme cold winters and droughts in Europe, and sea level rises of up to 50 centimeters.

Scientists warn that the collapse of the AMOC would trigger drastic climate changes, including altered rainfall patterns affecting agriculture, severe weather events, and a significant rise in sea levels, highlighting the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.