We can no longer ignore the AMOC 'bomb'

Recently, large numbers of protesters have been arrested under the Government’s terrorism legislation for simply holding a sign. Meanwhile, another group of protesters were not arrested, even though they brought a massive bomb to the headquarters of the BBC, ITV and the Metropolitan Police! Of course, the bomb was fake, but it illustrated very well the threat we face from the collapse of AMOC. 

So what is AMOC? It’s the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which brings warm water from the Gulf Stream to the UK and Scandinavia. AMOC is a system of ocean currents within the Atlantic. The circulation process begins as warm water near the surface moves toward the poles, where it cools and forms sea ice. As this ice forms, salt is left behind in the ocean water. Due to the large amount of salt in the water, it becomes denser, sinks down, and is carried southwards in the depths below. Eventually, the water gets pulled back up towards the surface and warms up in a process called upwelling, completing the cycle that takes about 1000 years. Scientists fear that AMOC could collapse due to ice melting and diluting the saltiness. 

The new website, launched by campaigner Jonathan Fuller, which this article is largely based on, explains 

“In November 2024, the National Preparedness Commission (an independent body whose role is to help the UK be significantly better prepared to avoid, mitigate, respond to, and recover from major shocks, threats and challenges) published a report on AMOC collapse that warned: “temperatures would drop across the Atlantic region, including by over 5 °C in Britain. Colder, drier conditions would largely wipe out crop growing in the British Isles.” It now appears likely that the AMOC will collapse, which will dramatically reduce agricultural production globally, so the UK will be unable to import food. The reduction in UK agricultural production, coupled with an end to food imports, suggests our food supplies will be reduced by around 90%”.

… read the full article by Graham Wroe at Tell the Truth Sheffield

Extinction Rebellion (XR) needs people who both take action, and those who support those taking action - and many of us do bits of both! We take time out to share food and make each other smile and check in when it all feels a bit too much. If you want to get in touch to talk about climate grief or just share how you’re feeling - even if that’s all you’re ready to do with XR at the moment - drop us a line xrsheffield@gmail.com. 

MONDAY MEETINGS AT UNION STREET

Come along to our twice-monthly get-together on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at Union Street Co-Working Space (18-20 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2JP). 6pm for hot drinks and social chats, 6:45-8pm for the meeting. You are welcome to bring your own food for the social part.

You can also join in the Monday meetings using Zoom if that’s more convenient. Contact us at xrsheffield@gmail.com for details of how to join.

PLEASE NOTE - THERE WILL BE NO MEETING ON MONDAY 15th SEPTEMBER

The next meetings are on:

What to expect at the Main Monday Meeting (MMM)

New member Catherine says:

In August me and my partner went to London to take part in the ‘Impossible Rebellion’. We’d never joined a protest or taken part in direct action, but were moved to get involved after hearing the shocking IPCC report headlines and Code Red for Humanity. We read that global warming of 2°C will be exceeded unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide occur. It was shocking. But jolted us into action. Since then we’ve attended the MMMs and joined some other XR Sheffield activities. The MMM is where people come along, learn about what is happening in XR and think about where they can get involved. People might break into groups to talk about a specific issue or plan action. There is an idea that ‘we are all crew’, that everyone can practically contribute, so you are encouraged to get involved in the things that interest you or that you have time for. I generally work six or seven days a week, life is very busy, but I feel better turning up on a Monday and being involved in an organisation that is raising the alarm about the climate emergency and trying to get politicians to act."

Our Samba Fusion band (Five Rivers Rising) also meet at the Co-Working Space on Union Street on Thursdays. Just like the Monday meetings, newcomers are always welcome.