One theory of how a process of global warming could potentially lead to a new ice age has to do with the north Atlantic current.
The water in the oceans of the world is not simply sitting around in one giant stagnant puddle. The waters are constantly moving from place to place in a global cycle of currents. The process of this water moving distributes heat all over the globe.
Let me see if I can explain this correctly…
Water moving along at shallow depths (along the surface) is warmed by the sun as it passes through areas of the world near the equator such as the Indian sea, and the west coast of Africa. As it moves away from the equator, and things get less sunny and colder, the warm water releases its heat energy into the air, and sinks to the bottom. The temperature required for this heat exchange is based on ocean salinity (how salty it is). What currently happens is that warm water is carried along the surface, up the west coast of Africa, and into the north Atlantic right by the British Isles. The water loses its heat here in the north Atlantic, which is what give England its relatively comfortable climate despite its distance from the equator. The water cools, the air gets warm, and the water sinks to travel back down the coast of the USA to rejoin the cycle.
As the icecaps in the north melt (Greenland, the Arctic) the fresh water that was previously locked in ice is being dumped into the ocean. The concern is that the Salinity (saltiness) of the oceans will change enough that A. the north Atlantic current will do its temperature exchange at a much more southern spot, making western Europe much colder, and B. The entire system of ocean currents will get blocked up by this inability to switch warm surface water with the cold water from the depths.
If B were to happen, what you would see is the hot areas of the world getting even hotter (deserts spreading, people in water stressed regions not being able to survive), and Cold areas of the world being locked in ice. Hence, the new ice age.
Invest in skis.
Or canteens.
Source(s):
International Studies 200 (western michigan university)
Dr. David Karowe (Dept Bio Sci)
Dr. Steven Kohler (Dept Bio Sci)
“The day after tomorow” ( I know it was a lame movie, but its “based” on facts)
“Thirst”- Snitow &Kaufman
Willem Van Aerschot said,
October 23, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
clean energy ,and the solution for the Greenland gulfstream slowdown:
Put in sea a construction of windmills (out of the reach of icebergs) combined with electric boilers, these get preheated by suncollectors and sunmirrors.
the steam they produce gets used by steam engines wich produce again electricity ,salt and when you condesate the steam coming from the steam engines sweet water,the steam you don’t need you blow into the air.
You take out salt water coming from the warm gulfstream and the left over salt from the steam engines gets used to release in the cold stream.
So the cold stream gets saltier again and and won’t mingel with the warm gulfstream because before it was less saltier caused by the melting gletchers and slowing down the warm gulfstream becaurse less saltier water is lighter.
Preventing an possibel iceage.
The sweet water can then be used to make hydrogen ,so if there is for exampel a lot of wind and you don’t need all that electricity , you are abel to stock it and use it later.
The rest of the steam you blow in the air.
The oxygen deriving from turning water into hydrogen can be devided in sea to clean the water and to make more suitabel for marinelife.
So you produce electricity and /or hydrogen
Wich you get to shore with pipelines or from tanks with tankers and cabels
Van Aerschot,willem
Reppelse baan 47
3271 Averbode,Belgium
email:willemva@skynet.be
Clean water ,clean energy ,and the solution for the gulfstream slowdown:
Put in sea a construction of windmills combined with electric boilers, these get preheated by suncollectors and sunmirrors.
the steam they produce gets used by steam engines wich produce again electricity ,salt and when you condesate the steam coming from the steam engines sweet water.
The salt water you take out of salt water coming from the warm gulfstream and the left over salt from the steam engines gets used to release in the cold stream.Or you make the cooled down gulfstream saltier by taking water from the surface and steam it and put the salt in the cooled down gulfstream.
So the cold stream gets saltier again and and won’t mingel with the warm gulfstream because before it was less saltier caused by the melting gletchers and slowing down the warm gulfstream becaurse less saltier water is lighter.
Preventing an possibel iceage.
The sweet water can then be used to make hydrogen ,so if there is for exampel a lot of wind and you don’t need all that electricity , you are abel to stock it and use it later.
The rest of the water can with adding of minnerals serve as drinking water.
The oxygen deriving from turning water into hydrogen can be devided in sea to clean the water and to make more suitabel for marinelife.
So you produce electricity and drinking water and /or hydrogen
wich you get to shore with pipelines and cabels