John Robb points out some interesting reading over on the Woods Hole web site about global warming’s side effects of weather instability.
The mechanism for this is simple. The north pole’s ice cap is melting quickly due to global warming. This has created an extremely large pool of fresh water near the ice cap. That pool of water will eventually drift southward. When it does, it will disrupt the gulf stream due a change in the density of the water. Without the gulf stream, the northeast US and Europe will quickly experience a 10 degree drop in temperatures.
This mini Ice Age would be similar to the one we experienced between 1300 and 1850. Remember that picture of Washington crossing the Delaware River? See the ice? That doesn’t happen anymore. According to the Woods Hole scientists, it will again. There is also an outside chance that disruption of the gulf stream could disrupt the entire ocean conveyor system which would impact the rest of the world.
Better bundle in some cold weather gear in that canoe.