Atlantic Ocean conveyor belt AMOC is slowing, and the climate risks go beyond Europe

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) works like a conveyor belt, moving warm water north and cold water south. It is one reason western Europe has mild winters, and it also pulls carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the deep ocean. Scientists say the circulation has weakened over the past century, and climate models expect it to weaken further as greenhouse gases rise. A slower AMOC means less heat reaches the north and less carbon gets stored at depth. The article from BBC Wildlife walks through the basics, the uncertainty around a full shutdown, and the regional risks, including drought in South Africa and faster sea level rise on the US east coast. It is a useful primer on a major climate tipping point that often gets less attention than sea ice or heatwaves.