In one WLBOTT 2124 timeline, a major ocean current collapses, causing fairly rapid climate change to Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe. This leads the US to open up a large area of Alaska to the climate refugees, (or Frosties, as they become known) for the great Ice Exodus.
In this Project 2124 timeline, the AMOC collapses in the year 2044. 70% of the Greenland ice shelf has melted by that point, dumping a tremendous amount of fresh water into the north Atlantic.
But first, a little background.
AMOC
What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?
The AMOC is a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm water north and cold water south.
The ocean’s water is constantly circulated by currents. Tidal currents occur close to shore and are influenced by the sun and moon. Surface currents are influenced by the wind. However, other, much slower currents that occur from the surface to the seafloor are driven by changes in the saltiness and ocean temperature, a process called thermohaline circulation. These currents are carried in a large “global conveyor belt,” which includes the AMOC.
NOAA
Should the AMOC collapse, researchers predict that some European cities could experience a 5 to 15°C drop in temperatures in a few decades. In some areas the effects would be even worse: February months in Bergen, Norway, could become 3.5°C colder every decade.
However, Europe would not be the only region to be affected. The level of the Atlantic Ocean would rise by 70 cm, submerging many coastal cities. Rainfall in the Amazon rainforest would undergo a drastic change, and the southern hemisphere would become increasingly warmer. These predictions were obtained through state-of-the-art computational models that simulated the effects on climate over 2,000 years.
Renewable Matter / Simone Fant: Freelance journalist. He covers climate, environment, and circular economy with in-depth reporting and investigations.
Lots of potential doom and gloom scenarios, but beware of false prophets/profits….
Extreme Climate Impacts From Collapse of a Key Atlantic Ocean Current Could be Worse Than Expected, a New Study Warns
Disruption of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current could freeze Europe, scorch the tropics and increase sea level rise in the North Atlantic. The tipping point may be closer than predicted in the IPCC’s latest assessment.
Inside Climate News
Interesting NASA animation of ocean currents….
Not to mention the AMOC-xploitation leading to bad Sci-Fi movies.
In our Project 2124 scenario, it’s more of a semi-doom, semi-gloom, but the AMOC collapse greatly impacts the Scandinavian and Baltic countries and creates a climate refugee crises. America opens her arms, and accepts 10% of these countries’ citizens.
Here’s our starting point….
| Country | Land Area (sq miles) | Arable Land % | Pop. | Pop. Density (peeps / m2) |
| Belgium | 11,690 | 27.2 | 11,686,140 | 999.7 |
| Denmark | 16,384 | 58.9 | 5,910,913 | 360.8 |
| Estonia | 16,366 | 14.9 | 1,322,766 | 80.8 |
| Finland | 117,304 | 7.4 | 5,545,475 | 47.3 |
| Iceland | 38,931 | 0.1 | 375,319 | 9.6 |
| Ireland | 26,596 | 15.4 | 5,056,935 | 190.1 |
| Latvia | 24,030 | 18.6 | 1,830,212 | 76.2 |
| Lithuania | 24,170 | 34.9 | 2,718,352 | 112.5 |
| Netherlands | 13,086 | 29.8 | 17,618,299 | 1346.3 |
| Norway | 141,585 | 2.2 | 5,474,360 | 38.7 |
| Sweden | 157,253 | 6.4 | 10,612,086 | 67.5 |
| TOTAL | 587,395 | 68,150,857 | 116.0 | |
| Alaska | 570,641 | 4.0 | 733,583 | 1.3 |
| Texas | 261,232 | 74.0 | 30,030,000 | 115.0 |
Goodnews Bay, Alaska
The US Dept. of Interior selected Goodnews Bay, Alaska, as the port of entry for the Frosties (as the AMOC refugees became know as). A factor in the selection was the results of a referendum by the adult citizens of Goodnews. Of the 143 adult residents, all 143 participated in the referendum, with a final tally of 139 Yeah / 4 Nay.
The residents were guaranteed the following:
- A 400 mile Interstate highway connecting Goodnews Bay, Alaska, to Anchorage
- high speed internet
- community center with a combination roller / ice hockey rink / 18-hole 24-hour indoor Putt Putt course.
- health center
- employment opportunities
- free turnips for life
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) anticipates settling 100,000 Frosties the first year, with 750,000 settled each following year, for an anticipated total immigration of 6.8 million, and bringing the Alaskan population to 9.2 million. Alaska moves up in the population ranking to 11th, sandwiched between New Jersey and Georgia.
Initially all able-bodied Frosties will be employed by the Dept. of Interior for infrastructural development of the region.
Due to climate change and disappearing tundra, agricultural opportunities abound. The long, warm summer days are ideal for growing radishes, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, turnips, rutabagas, okra, zucchini, diakon, rhubarb, capers, cauliflower, horse radish, lima beans, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) habanero peppers, parsnips and kale.
Frosties also sign an agreement to live communally or semi-communally while housing and infrastructure are being developed. After a hard day of manually draining mosquito-filled tundra ponds, the Frosties will enjoy sharing a meal of Brussels sprout/turnip/bok choy chili, then getting a good night’s rest in the communal bunk houses!
Oddly, these vegetables all grow well in post-tundra Goodnews Bay.
Will there be a Buffet?
The year is 2074, Goodnews Bay is a thriving megapolis.
Bjorn and Birgitta Björk-Blomqvist have opened the 4-Bs locally sourced restaurant – The Beets / Brussels Sprouts/Bok Choy Buffet. It’s All-You-Can-Eat!
Marketing the 4-Bs has been a bit of a challenge:
