Europe could freeze: the real threat that is already alarming heads of state - "this is not panic"

A system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean, which prevents Europe from freezing, is weakening due to climate change. Scientists warn of a collapse that could disrupt the continent's weather. Governments in Europe, including the UK, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Finland, are preparing for the threat, and Brussels is considering defining it as a national security threat. Iceland's climate minister emphasized that this is 'responsible governance', not panic.

This article warns of a possible collapse of the North Atlantic current system, which acts as a heat pump preventing Europe from freezing. Due to climate change, the melting of ice in Greenland and increased rainfall are weakening the sea's salinity and density, slowing the sinking of cold water and weakening the entire circulation system. While this scenario was once considered distant, European governments have begun to take it seriously. The UK is investing millions in an early warning system, Iceland has declared the collapse of the current as a strategic national security risk, and the Netherlands and Finland are examining the implications. Brussels has proposed adding the issue to the list of national security threats. Iceland's climate minister was quoted as saying: "It is irresponsible to wait for absolute certainty before preparing. This is not panic, this is simply responsible governance." Studies indicate a possible collapse as early as the 2040s, with extreme scenarios: severe winter storms, sea ice reaching Scotland, freezing of Amsterdam's canals, temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius in the Netherlands and minus 40 in Scandinavia. Agricultural land in the UK could plummet from 32% to 7%, and drought in West Africa could push waves of migration northward. Scientists are calling for an investment of 500 million to 1 billion euros per year for monitoring, and emphasize that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the most important step.