SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 12th April (EUROPA PRESS) –
Specialists in oceanography have issued a warning regarding the adverse effects of climate change on the diminishing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), impacting not only the Canary Islands but also the global environment.
A colloquium on ‘Impacts of Potential Alterations in the North Atlantic Current on the Canary Islands’ held at the Museum of Contemporary Art by the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Santa Cruz de La Palma (RSEAPSCP) raised concerns about scenarios such as the archipelago facing hotter summers and drier winters, affecting tourism, agriculture, and water resources.
Aridane González González, a PhD from the Department of Chemistry at the Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, began the discussion by outlining the causes and repercussions of the climate crisis, emphasising its impact on the Canary Islands. His analysis highlighted warming and CO2 as major issues.
Following this, María Dolores Pérez Hernández, also a PhD from the IOCAG’s Department of Physics, explored the potential effects of current models on circulation for this century, capturing the audience’s attention with scientifically rigorous and practically relevant examples illustrating life in the islands.
Globally, risks such as rising sea levels and anticipated impacts for Europe were discussed, pointing out alterations in precipitation patterns that could result in more frequent floods and droughts in vulnerable areas. Additionally, the experts mentioned the adverse effects on marine ecosystems, including the possible expansion of “dead zones” and unprecedented harm to biodiversity and crucial sectors like the marine economy.
Lastly, José Joaquín Hernández Brito, director of the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN), highlighted ongoing innovations to reduce emissions and harness renewable energy from the marine environment, underscoring the potential of the Canary Islands as a natural testing ground that “holds significant potential for generating solutions, with PLOCAN serving as a platform to encourage such initiatives through the projects we support.”
Following the expert presentations, the audience engaged in a lively debate, posing questions reflecting genuine concerns for the future of the island, the Canary Islands, and the planet. The CEO of PLOCAN remarked, “There is an urgent need to reduce emissions and adapt our societies to sustainable models, with a particular focus on shared responsibility among institutions, businesses, and citizens.”
Elías Castro, a member of RSEAPSCP, expressed that “this event has shown that dissemination, education, and public involvement are crucial in fostering an open and effective dialogue on climate change, as well as mobilising Canarian society to seek solutions.”
In this regard, the organisation expressed interest in continuing to host similar initiatives to raise awareness in society and advocate for actions against the climate crisis. According to Castro, “this event has set an inspiring precedent, reminding us that addressing climate change requires the engagement of all, from the scientific community to every citizen committed to a sustainable future for the Canary Islands and the world.”
CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN THE CLIMATE PUZZLE
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) plays a vital role in global and regional climates, acting as a heat regulator that controls Earth’s temperatures. Operating through thermohaline circulation, where differences in water salinity and temperature drive its broad-scale movement, the AMOC transports warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic, maintaining warmth in Europe and distributing essential nutrients for marine life.
However, recent research indicates that the AMOC is weakening due to rising greenhouse gas emissions, which could have severe implications for European and global climates. This shift may not only reshape the climate but also lead to devastating effects on biodiversity and human life. Experts suggest that its collapse could result in the cooling of the European climate within less than a century, significantly impacting Spain and the Canary Islands.
Science provides an opportunity to act before it’s too late, emphasising the pressing need to reduce emissions. “Taking measures to safeguard climate stability is critical,” highlighted Elías Castro at the event. Understanding and addressing the AMOC is crucial to mitigating the risks linked to its weakening, ensuring a sustainable future for the Canary Islands, Europe, and the world.
