Atlantic Ocean circulation nearing ‘devastating’ tipping point, study finds

Sea levels in the Atlantic would rise by a metre in some regions and temperatures around the world would fluctuate far more erratically. Photograph: Henrik Egede-Lassen/Zoomedia/PA

The circulation of the Atlantic Ocean is heading towards a tipping point that is “bad news for the climate system and humanity”, a study has found.

The scientists behind the research said they were shocked at the forecast speed of collapse once the point is reached, although they said it was not yet possible to predict how soon that would happen.