ocean waves

Facing a cold shock: How melting ice could alter global climates and raise sea levels

A recent study raises alarms about the potential catastrophic effects of climate change on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature and ecosystems.

Brian Resnick reports for Vox.


In short:

  • A scientific paper warns that melting ice could lead to a significant drop in temperatures in parts of Europe, alongside other global climate effects.
  • The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating global climate, faces the risk of a "death spiral" due to freshwater influx.
  • This scenario, while uncertain, underlines the need for immediate climate action to prevent possible drastic changes.

Key quote:

“The trickiest part about modeling this is the whole system is very dependent on how the ocean and the atmosphere interact with each other.”

— Till Wagner, atmospheric and ocean scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Why this matters:

Warmer waters can disrupt the habitats of many marine species, leading to shifts in species distributions as fish and marine mammals migrate to cooler areas. This can impact food webs and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing.

Ocean heat waves, which can push out fish, plankton and other aquatic life, are happening far more frequently than previously thought.

A black plastic Crocs shoe floats in floodwaters.

Floods in Texas and around the world are getting worse as the planet heats up

Severe deluges like the one that killed dozens in Texas over the holiday weekend are hitting harder and more frequently, fueled by climate change and made deadlier by outdated infrastructure and shrinking climate research budgets.

Raymond Zhong reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
A series of european union flags in front of a building.

EU scales back climate leadership as populism and global inaction stall 2040 emissions goal

European Union leaders proposed a scaled-back 2040 climate target this week, signaling a shift away from the bloc’s historic leadership as political pressure and global inaction grow.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
A dry environment with scrub brush and dead wood.

Droughts tied to climate change are pushing water, food, and ecosystems to the brink

A new United Nations-backed report warns that climate-fueled droughts are becoming more deadly and far-reaching, intensifying hunger, displacing wildlife, and upending daily life from Africa to Latin America.

Tim Dodd reports for BBC.

Keep reading...Show less
Satellite floating over the earth.

New satellite designed to track methane emissions goes dark in orbit

A methane-tracking satellite launched by the Environmental Defense Fund lost contact mid-June, cutting short its mission to map planet-warming emissions from global oil and gas operations.

Raymond Zhong reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
A row of pump jacks stretching into the distance.

Push to speed US fossil fuel permits faces delays as federal experts resign

A wave of retirements and resignations across federal environmental agencies is threatening President Trump’s efforts to fast-track fossil fuel and mining projects.

Miranda Willson and Hannah Northey report for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
The capitol building in Raleigh ,North Carolina.

North Carolina governor blocks rollback of clean energy targets

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill that would repeal a key 2030 carbon emissions reduction goal, citing concerns over energy costs and the state’s clean energy future.

Gary D. Robertson reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
View of the city of New York.
Credit: Pixabay

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani links climate action to affordability plan

Zohran Mamdani, who won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, has built a platform that connects environmental justice to housing, utility costs, and school infrastructure, aiming to reshape how the city tackles climate and inequality.

Lauren Dalban reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.