Scientists are increasingly concerned about the stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial ocean current system that regulates global climate. New research suggests that the AMOC could weaken by up to 59% by 2100, far exceeding previous estimates of a 15% slowdown over the past 50 years. This decline is largely attributed to human-induced climate change, which is melting Arctic ice and introducing fresh water into the North Atlantic, disrupting the delicate balance necessary for the AMOC's operation.

The AMOC's potential collapse is considered a 'climate tipping point.' If the system fails, it could lead to catastrophic consequences, including extreme sea-level rise in North America and severe global weather disruptions. For India, this presents a direct threat to food security, as the Indian summer monsoon, vital for agriculture, depends on the heat distribution regulated by the AMOC. A weakened AMOC would shift the tropical rain belt southward, resulting in shorter wet seasons and prolonged dry spells. Additionally, the unpredictability of El Niño events, exacerbated by the AMOC's decline, poses further risks, potentially trapping Indian farmers in cycles of drought and erratic floods.