Irish Scientist Leads Global Gulf Stream Warning Project

An Irish climate expert has been appointed to co-lead a major new international project assessing the health of the Atlantic Ocean’s circulation system — a key driver of Ireland’s climate.

Dr Gerard McCarthy of Maynooth University has been named co-chair of the new initiative, which aims to evaluate the risks of a potential slowdown or collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) — the broader system behind the Gulf Stream.

The AMOC plays a crucial role in keeping Ireland’s climate relatively mild and stable. Any disruption to it could bring more extreme storms, colder winters, rising sea levels, and widespread marine impacts.

“This is international recognition of Ireland’s leadership in ocean and climate research,” said Dr McCarthy, based in Maynooth’s ICARUS climate centre. “The AMOC is central to the Atlantic’s role in global climate — and Ireland is on the front line of its impact.”

The international project brings together scientists from 10 countries — including Ireland, the UK, Canada and Germany — at a time when new research suggests the AMOC may be closer to a tipping point than previously thought.

The initiative is jointly supported by JPI Oceans and JPI Climate and will deliver a landmark scientific report on the state of the Atlantic circulation, including:

• How close the system is to critical change
• What that would mean for Irish weather, sea levels and ecosystems
• What can be done to prepare or respond

Ireland’s involvement is funded through the Marine Institute under the A4 Project (Aigéin, Aeráid agus Athrú Atlantaigh), part of the Government’s Marine Research Programme.

This latest move builds on Ireland’s role in the EU-funded ObsSea4Clim project, which is developing key ocean indicators for climate tracking.

“We’re seeing growing political and public concern over what’s happening in the Atlantic,” said Steffen Olsen, coordinator of ObsSea4Clim. “This assessment will help turn world-class science into action.”

With the Atlantic circulation under pressure from warming oceans and melting ice, the coming years may prove critical — and Irish scientists are at the heart of the global response.