The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a critical component of our planet's climate system, yet it is under severe threat of being overlooked and underfunded. This vast system of ocean currents plays a pivotal role in regulating global climate, impacting everything from agriculture to infrastructure and health. However, the AMOC is now at risk of collapse, which could lead to climate change occurring up to 10 times faster than we are currently experiencing. This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustained and robust monitoring of the AMOC, and the potential consequences of its failure. In my opinion, this is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. The AMOC is a complex and dynamic system, and our understanding of it is still limited. While we have made progress in recent years, there is still much we don't know about how the AMOC works and how it will respond to climate change. This is where the importance of sustained monitoring comes in. By continuing to observe and study the AMOC, we can gain a deeper understanding of its behavior and improve our ability to forecast its future changes. However, the current funding situation for AMOC monitoring is dire. The Trump administration has proposed budget cuts to NASA, NOAA, and NSF, which are key agencies in providing funding for AMOC monitoring. This, coupled with the risk of defunding existing initiatives, means that we are on the brink of losing critical observations and insights into the AMOC. The cost of AMOC monitoring is relatively small, amounting to about €25 million per year. This is a small price to pay for the knowledge and understanding that it provides, and the potential consequences of its failure are far-reaching. As Penny Holliday, chief scientific officer of the National Oceanography Centre, notes, the AMOC is a global priority that requires international collaboration and funding. We must act now to secure long-term AMOC monitoring and ensure that we are prepared for the potential impacts of its collapse. In conclusion, the AMOC is a critical component of our planet's climate system, and its potential collapse is a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustained and robust monitoring. We must act now to secure the future of the AMOC and ensure that we are prepared for the potential impacts of its failure. From my perspective, this is a call to action for the EU, the UK, and other international partners to step up and collaborate to assure long-term continuation of AMOC monitoring before it is lost.
