An Integrated Assessment of changes in the thermohaline circulation |
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| Authors: | Till Kuhlbrodt Stefan Rahmstorf Kirsten Zickfeld Frode Bendiksen Vikebø Svein Sundby Matthias Hofmann Peter Michael Link Alberte Bondeau Wolfgang Cramer Carlo Jaeger |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute for Energy Engineering, Technical University of Berlin, Marchstrasse 18, 10587 Berlin, Germany;(2) Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany |
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| Abstract: | This paper discusses the risks of a shutdown of the thermohaline circulation (THC) for the climate system, for ecosystems
in and around the North Atlantic as well as for fisheries and agriculture by way of an Integrated Assessment. The climate
model simulations are based on greenhouse gas scenarios for the 21st century and beyond. A shutdown of the THC, complete by
2150, is triggered if increased freshwater input from inland ice melt or enhanced runoff is assumed. The shutdown retards
the greenhouse gas-induced atmospheric warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere, but does not lead to a persistent net cooling.
Due to the simulated THC shutdown the sea level at the North Atlantic shores rises by up to 80 cm by 2150, in addition to
the global sea level rise. This could potentially be a serious impact that requires expensive coastal protection measures.
A reduction of marine net primary productivity is associated with the impacts of warming rather than a THC shutdown. Regional
shifts in the currents in the Nordic Seas could strongly deteriorate survival chances for cod larvae and juveniles. This could
lead to cod fisheries becoming unprofitable by the end of the 21st century. While regional socioeconomic impacts might be
large, damages would be probably small in relation to the respective gross national products. Terrestrial ecosystem productivity
is affected much more by the fertilization from the increasing CO2 concentration than by a THC shutdown. In addition, the level of warming in the 22nd to 24th century favours crop production
in northern Europe a lot, no matter whether the THC shuts down or not. CO2 emissions corridors aimed at limiting the risk of a THC breakdown to 10% or less are narrow, requiring departure from business-as-usual
in the next few decades. The uncertainty about THC risks is still high. This is seen in model analyses as well as in the experts’
views that were elicited. The overview of results presented here is the outcome of the Integrated Assessment project INTEGRATION. |
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