There are many dangers which this poses. First is of course the threat to the stability of the North Atlantic Current or, Gulf Stream, which keeps the
climate of Western and Northern Europe unusually warm for its latitude. The effects of the current also bring in more moisture to the continent and
even moderate the temperatures along the North American east coast. It is heavily dependent upon a stability of water temperature, wind
speed/direction, and water salinity; should any of these factors become too unbalanced the current would be in danger.
But not only do we have to worry about its threat to the NAC but we must also then worry about the Arctic Oscillation since it too is heavily
dependent upon wind direction and sea surface temperature. Should this warm water up swell to the surface, especially for a prolonged period of time,
it poses a threat to this oscillation which affects the climate of the entire Northern hemisphere above the Tropic of Cancer. I even wonder if this
‘freshwater bulge’ is already having an impact due to this:
Winter 2012- Most Extreme
Configuration of the Jet Stream Ever Recorded.
The sea surface temperatures also impact the ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean and northern Pacific and Atlantic. Should the winds which are blowing
through the newly formed openings in the previously solid arctic ice to bring up the warm water it would deprive the sea creatures of nutrient rich
waters. This would lead to serious harm for the fishing industry for Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia, not to mention the
threats posed to Arctic natives who are dependent on the animals, which are in turn dependent on the sea animals.
edit on 1/23/2012 by Misoir because: (no reason given)
