Weakening of Gulf Stream will increase Hurricanes and their strength
(02.12.2005)

The weakening of the Gulf Stream should see the climate in Britain and other parts of Europe cool dramatically. However, with the temperatures rising globally, this may not create a huge difference. The effects are more likely to be seen at the source.

The Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that provides Britain and northern Europe with warm waters from the tropics has weakened dramatically in recent years. According to reports, the circulation has slowed by 30% since a previous recording 12 years ago.

Warm waters are carried from the Atlantic Ocean (between Africa and the east coast of America) to northern Europe. As the warmer water cools, it sinks and returns, to be heated once more. Unfortunately, Global Warming is melting freshwater ice and this is pouring into the northern Atlantic and making it less saline. This makes it more difficult for the cooler water to sink as it should do and this in turn slows down the process of the Gulf Stream effect.

But if the warmer water is unable to circulate as before, and perhaps even stop completely, it will not be cooled in the same way. This means that sea temperatures around the east coast of America will continue to rise. This in turn will increase the number of tropical storms and hurricanes, and their strength.

We have already witnessed the worst tropical storm season on record and we can expect the next season to be just as bad, or worse. This is likely to be the trend for the future.

Experts have tried to "forecast" how these changes will effect our planet in the future and many believe that any changes will be gradual. Unfortunately, these predictions are made on the assumption that temperatures will continue to rise at a constant rate. But as we have already seen, this is not happening. The changes are continuing to accelerate!

Whilst this may not cause a major climate change as quickly as that seen in the film "The Day after Tomorrow", it will happen much faster than many expect.

So, what does our future hold? We currently believe that the Global Warming is connected with an event taking place in our solar system (which is affecting all the planets, not just our own). This may be the early signs of a Galactic Superwave, a wave of energy so powerful, it will wipe out all life on the planet. You can read more on this on our Forum.

But even if we are lucky enough to escape this (which could become more obvious in March 2006), there are many other problems we could face. A Super Volcano underneath Yellowstone Park has been showing signs of activity, this too could make humanity extinct.

The effects of Global Warming are of course another serious matter (if we survive that long). Sea levels will continue to rise, and whilst millions of people could move to higher ground, we wouldn't be able to produce enough food on the remaining land to support them all.

However you look at it, the future doesn't look good. But these are events that can not be stopped or predicted with any accuracy, so we should try to live our lives as normally as possible. Sadly, we feel that such a disaster is close to hand, but there may be some good news for a few of us and you can read more on that here.

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