G7-Ocean Currents-Lower-04

Today, scientists still debate the cause of the Little Ice Age. They have found some potential variables that may have been involved. These possible variables may have been a decrease in solar activity, an increase in volcanic activity, human impacts on climate, and the slowing of the ocean conveyor belt. It is also possible that it was not one single reason. Perhaps there was a combination of events. Regardless of the exact reason, changes in the weather conditions had a major impact on the environment and human survival. We may never know the exact cause. Perhaps there is another more important lesson to learn. Knowledge of the Little Ice Age tells us what might happen if the thermohaline circulation is disrupted.

Conclusion

Ocean circulation has a major impact on weather. For example, without the warm Gulf Stream, Europe would be cold and rainy. Was the disruption of the thermohaline circulation responsible for the Little Ice Age? It is hard to say. What is certain is that scientists are very interested in learning more about the thermohaline circulation. Scientists fear that the Little Ice Age may have been a test run. What if global temperatures continue to rise? At what point is our critical system of global heat exchange adversely affected? So while you are online looking at wet suits for your next trip to the beach, scientists are hard at work studying the ocean’s effect on weather and climate.