On: A forthcoming collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation

[joshuaheard]

The article says the collapse would cause an ice age in Northern Europe. Would that "cure" global warming?

[dotancohen → joshuaheard]

No.

Global warming is the effect of decreased solar radiation (as compared to how much solar energy is absorbed), thus more energy added to the Earth. A new ice age in Norther Europe might slightly increase that area's albido, which would increase solar radiation and in theory mitigate global warming. But truth is, the effect of that change in albido will be very small compared to the effect of the atmospheric CO2 (which traps the solar radiation).

Europe may be colder, but somewhere else is going to be much, much hotter.

[joshuaheard → dotancohen]

You would think that adding that much ice in the atmosphere would cool it down a little, like putting an ice cube in a glass of water.

[dotancohen → joshuaheard]

Where do you think that the "cold" in the ice comes from? It's just moving heat from one part of the planet to another.

The total amount of heat entering the Earth is increasing, cold spots not withstanding.

[JPLeRouzic → joshuaheard]

I can't find any reference to ice age in the article, nor to consequences for Europe, where did I missed them?

[joshuaheard → JPLeRouzic]

I've read several articles on this today. It must have been another one.