I think there is a very interesting story here in how badly botched the communication between science and journalism was on this matter. I would like to know more about the periodical you are writing for,
I have to disagree with William on one point. I think the THC and the wind-driven circulation are separable and usage seems to bear me out. (The Gulf Stream is not going away, no matter how many politicians and journalists insist on saying that.) On the other hand, I agree that the THC is not the right name for the pheonmenon that apparently can occasionally stop. What is at issue is whether the Younger Dryas event, largely believed to be associated with a shutdown of formation of NADW (Morth Atlantic Deep Water) can be repeated. There is little evidence that such a thing is possible. The sudden appearance of a vast quantity of fresh water is required. Numerical experiments have failed to replicate the event in a modern context. I don't see this published, though, see http://www.agu.org/cgi-bin/wais?dd=PP21E-05 Of course you will also want to refer to the realclimate stories on this: http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2006/10/ocean-circulation-new-evidence-yes-slowdown-no/ http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2006/01/atlantic-circulation-changes/ http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/11/decrease-in-atlantic-circulation/ I am not sure this NADW formation shutdown idea has gone away altogether, but it really doesn't seem to be carrying much weight, even in "tipping point" discussions, anymore. Your article should probably mention Wallace Broecker, the originator of the idea of a modern analog to the Younger Dryas. It would be interesting to know if Broecker still is advancing this idea. If you are writing an article you might approach him about it. mt --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Global Change ("globalchange") newsgroup. Global Change is a public, moderated venue for discussion of science, technology, economics and policy dimensions of global environmental change. Posts will be admitted to the list if and only if any moderator finds the submission to be constructive and/or interesting, on topic, and not gratuitously rude. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/globalchange -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
