The circulation of the Atlantic Ocean is heading towards a breakdown that will dramatically alter the climate system.

By modelling vast amounts of data, the research team headed by climate physicist René van Westenhave from the University of Utrecht created an early warning system that suggests the so-called Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc) is heading towards a breakdown before the end of this century.

In this way, the collapse of Amoc would compensate for global warming in Europe.

But changes to the climate would happen 10 times faster than now, making it impossible for humans to adapt.