“A tipping point that induces an AMOC collapse could already be triggered during such a temporary overshoot. Once that happens, it can't simply be undone. It's comparable to coral reefs: Once they die off due to ocean warming, they don't come back, even if the temperature drops again later.”

René van Westen · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-13

The researchers warn that overshoot pathways risk triggering an irreversible AMOC collapse even during temporary warming overshoots.