A new study has got scientists worried about something called the Gulf Stream system. This system controls the currents in the Atlantic Ocean and affects the weather in Europe. The study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025, which would have a big impact on the climate. It could make temperatures colder and mess up rainfall patterns. But other scientists are not so sure about this study. They say it’s not proven and the collapse of the Gulf Stream is not likely to happen so soon. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also disagrees with the study’s findings.

The Gulf Stream system, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), is a complicated set of currents. It brings warm water from the south to the north, and then the water cools down and sinks. But because of global warming, the Amoc is being affected by the melting ice caps and other sources of fresh water. If the Amoc were to collapse, it could make Europe colder, cause sea levels to rise in the eastern US, and mess up farming because of changes in rainfall. The last time the Amoc stopped and started again was during the Ice Ages a long time ago.

The study that got everyone talking used data about sea surface temperatures from 1870 to figure out how strong the Amoc currents have been over time. It said that the Amoc could collapse sometime between 2025 and 2095, depending on how much greenhouse gases we keep putting into the air. But some scientists are not convinced by this study. They say there’s not enough proof to say that the Amoc has been getting weaker. The climate system is really complicated, and we don’t have all the information we need to fully understand the Amoc.

Even though we should be careful about the predictions of the Amoc collapse, scientists still think we should take the possibility of sudden changes in the North Atlantic climate seriously. It’s important to keep studying and watching the Amoc, because it has a big role in the global climate.

Original news source: Will the Gulf Stream really collapse by 2025? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can then share their summaries with a partner or small group and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a statement related to the article, such as “The Gulf Stream system will collapse by 2025.” Have each group discuss and share their opinions on the statement, and then conduct a poll within the class to see how many students agree or disagree with each statement. Discuss the results as a class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on small pieces of paper and put them in a hat or bowl. Divide the class into teams and have one student from each team come up to the front of the class. Give each student a vocabulary word and have them draw a picture to represent the word while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work in pairs or small groups and discuss what they think will happen to the Gulf Stream system in the future. They can make predictions based on the information in the article and their own knowledge of climate change. After discussing, have each group share their predictions with the class and discuss the different possibilities.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have students individually read the article and think about the following question: “What are the potential consequences of the Gulf Stream system collapsing?” After a few minutes, have students pair up and discuss their thoughts with their partner. Finally, have students share their ideas with the whole class and discuss as a group.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the Gulf Stream system and how does it affect the weather in Europe?
2. Why are scientists worried about the Gulf Stream system collapsing?
3. How is global warming affecting the Gulf Stream system?
4. What could happen if the Gulf Stream system were to collapse?
5. When was the last time the Gulf Stream system stopped and started again?
6. How did the study determine the strength of the Gulf Stream currents over time?
7. Why are some scientists skeptical of the study’s findings?
8. Why is it important for scientists to continue studying and monitoring the Gulf Stream system?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A new study has got (1)______ worried about something called the Gulf Stream (2)______. This system controls the currents in the (3)______ Ocean and affects the weather in Europe. The study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025, which would have a big impact on the climate. It could make temperatures colder and mess up rainfall patterns. But other scientists are not so sure about this study. They say it’s not (4)______ and the collapse of the Gulf Stream is not likely to happen so soon. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also disagrees with the study’s (5)______.

The Gulf Stream system, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), is a complicated set of currents. It (6)______ warm (7)______ from the south to the north, and then the water cools down and sinks. But because of global warming, the Amoc is being affected by the melting ice caps and (8)______ sources of fresh water. If the Amoc were to collapse, it could make Europe colder, cause sea levels to rise in the eastern US, and mess up farming because of changes in rainfall. The last time the Amoc (9)______ and started again was during the Ice Ages a long time ago.

The study that got everyone talking used data about sea surface (10)______ from 1870 to (11)______ out how strong the Amoc (12)______ have been over time. It said that the Amoc could collapse sometime between 2025 and 2095, depending on how much greenhouse gases we keep putting into the air. But some scientists are not convinced by this study. They say there’s not enough proof to say that the Amoc has been getting weaker. The climate system is really complicated, and we don’t have all the (13)______ we need to fully understand the Amoc.

Even though we should be careful about the (14)______ of the Amoc collapse, scientists still (15)______ we should take the possibility of sudden changes in the North Atlantic climate seriously. It’s (16)______ to keep studying and watching the Amoc, because it has a big role in the global climate.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the Gulf Stream system and why is it important?
2. How would you feel if the Gulf Stream system collapsed and made temperatures colder in Europe?
3. Do you think the study’s prediction that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025 is likely to happen? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would happen if the Gulf Stream system stopped and started again, like during the Ice Ages?
5. How do you think changes in rainfall patterns could affect farming?
6. Do you like studying about climate change? Why or why not?
7. What do you think scientists should do to gather more information about the Gulf Stream system?
8. How do you think the collapse of the Gulf Stream system would affect sea levels in the eastern US?
9. Why do you think some scientists disagree with the study’s findings about the Gulf Stream system?
10. How do you think the melting ice caps and other sources of fresh water are affecting the Gulf Stream system?
11. What do you think would happen if the Gulf Stream system collapsed and made Europe colder?
12. How would you feel if sudden changes in the North Atlantic climate started happening?
13. Do you think it’s important for scientists to keep studying and watching the Gulf Stream system? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the Gulf Stream system affects the global climate?
15. Why do you think the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change disagrees with the study’s findings about the Gulf Stream system?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Gulf Stream
2. currents
3. collapse
4. climate
5. temperatures
6. greenhouse gases
7. predictions
8. global warming

Meanings:
(a) The gradual increase in the Earth’s temperature due to human activities
(b) Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere
(c) The long-term weather patterns in a specific area
(d) Forecasts or guesses about what might happen in the future
(e) To break down or fall apart
(f) The flow of water in a particular direction
(g) The measurement of how hot or cold something is
(h) A system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the Gulf Stream system?
(a) A type of weather pattern in Europe
(b) A study on global warming
(c) A type of ice cap in the North Pole
(d) A system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean

2. What could happen if the Gulf Stream were to collapse?
(a) Sea levels in the eastern US could rise
(b) Temperatures in Europe could become colder
(c) Farming could be affected due to changes in rainfall
(d) All of the above

3. What is the main cause of the Amoc weakening?
(a) Global warming and melting ice caps
(b) Changes in sea surface temperatures
(c) Pollution in the Atlantic Ocean
(d) Natural climate cycles

4. When was the last time the Amoc stopped and started again?
(a) In the 19th century
(b) In the 21st century
(c) It has never stopped
(d) During the Ice Ages

5. What did the study use to determine the strength of the Amoc currents?
(a) Information about greenhouse gas emissions
(b) Predictions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(c) Data about sea surface temperatures from 1870
(d) Satellite images of the Atlantic Ocean

6. Why are some scientists skeptical of the study’s findings?
(a) They believe there is not enough evidence to support the Amoc weakening
(b) They think the study’s timeline for collapse is too soon
(c) They disagree with the use of sea surface temperatures as a measure of Amoc strength
(d) All of the above

7. What does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change think about the study?
(a) They support the study’s findings
(b) They have not expressed an opinion on the study
(c) They disagree with the study’s findings
(d) They believe more research is needed before forming an opinion

8. Why is it important to continue studying the Amoc?
(a) It could have major impacts on weather patterns and sea levels
(b) It plays a significant role in the global climate
(c) It helps scientists understand the effects of global warming
(d) All of the above

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The collapse of the Gulf Stream could make temperatures colder and mess up rainfall patterns.
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agrees with the study’s findings.
3. The Gulf Stream system controls the currents in the Atlantic Ocean and affects the weather in Europe.
4. Global warming is not affecting the Amoc due to melting ice caps and other sources of fresh water.
5. The Gulf Stream system, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), does not bring warm water from the south to the north and then cool down and sink.
6. Some scientists are skeptical about the study’s findings and believe the collapse of the Gulf Stream is not likely to happen so soon.
7. The last time the Amoc stopped and restarted was not during the Ice Ages a long time ago.
8. A new study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025, which would have a big impact on the climate.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the Gulf Stream system and how does it affect the weather in Europe?
2. What could happen if the Gulf Stream were to collapse?
3. What are some factors that are affecting the Gulf Stream system?
4. What did the study about the Gulf Stream system suggest?
5. Why are some scientists skeptical about the study’s findings?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the Gulf Stream system and how does it affect the weather in Europe?
The Gulf Stream system, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), is a complex set of currents in the Atlantic Ocean. It brings warm water from the south to the north, which helps to keep Europe’s climate mild and temperate. The warm water also affects the wind patterns, which in turn affect the weather in Europe.

2. Why are scientists worried about the Gulf Stream system collapsing?
Scientists are worried about the Gulf Stream system collapsing because it could have a significant impact on the climate. If the system were to collapse, it could make temperatures colder in Europe and disrupt rainfall patterns. This could have serious consequences for agriculture, ecosystems, and even human populations.

3. How is global warming affecting the Gulf Stream system?
Global warming is affecting the Gulf Stream system in several ways. The melting ice caps and increased freshwater input into the ocean are disrupting the balance of saltwater and freshwater in the Atlantic. This disrupts the natural process of warm water moving north and cooling down, which is a crucial part of the Gulf Stream system. As a result, the system could weaken or even collapse.

4. What could happen if the Gulf Stream system were to collapse?
If the Gulf Stream system were to collapse, it could have far-reaching consequences. Europe could experience colder temperatures, which could impact agriculture and ecosystems. Sea levels in the eastern United States could rise, leading to increased coastal flooding. Changes in rainfall patterns could also disrupt farming and water availability in different regions.

5. When was the last time the Gulf Stream system stopped and started again?
The last time the Gulf Stream system stopped and started again was during the Ice Ages, a long time ago. This was a natural occurrence that happened due to changes in the Earth’s climate at that time.

6. How did the study determine the strength of the Gulf Stream currents over time?
The study used data about sea surface temperatures from 1870 to analyze the strength of the Gulf Stream currents over time. By examining historical records, researchers were able to track changes in the currents and make predictions about their future behavior.

7. Why are some scientists skeptical of the study’s findings?
Some scientists are skeptical of the study’s findings because they believe there is not enough evidence to support the claim that the Gulf Stream system is weakening. The climate system is incredibly complex, and there are still many unknown factors that could affect the behavior of the currents. Therefore, more research and data are needed to fully understand the Gulf Stream system.

8. Why is it important for scientists to continue studying and monitoring the Gulf Stream system?
It is important for scientists to continue studying and monitoring the Gulf Stream system because of its significant role in the global climate. Understanding how the system works and how it is changing is crucial for predicting and preparing for potential climate impacts. By monitoring the Gulf Stream system, scientists can provide valuable information for policymakers and help mitigate the effects of climate change on both regional and global scales.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) scientists
(2) system
(3) Atlantic
(4) proven
(5) findings
(6) brings
(7) water
(8) other
(9) stopped
(10) temperatures
(11) figure
(12) currents
(13) information
(14) predictions
(15) think
(16) important
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Gulf Stream
Answer: (h) A system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean

2. currents
Answer: (f) The flow of water in a particular direction

3. collapse
Answer: (e) To break down or fall apart

4. climate
Answer: (c) The long-term weather patterns in a specific area

5. temperatures
Answer: (g) The measurement of how hot or cold something is

6. greenhouse gases
Answer: (b) Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere

7. predictions
Answer: (d) Forecasts or guesses about what might happen in the future

8. global warming
Answer: (a) The gradual increase in the Earth’s temperature due to human activities
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the Gulf Stream system?
Answer: (d) A system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean

2. What could happen if the Gulf Stream were to collapse?
Answer: (b) Temperatures in Europe could become colder

3. What is the main cause of the Amoc weakening?
Answer: (a) Global warming and melting ice caps

4. When was the last time the Amoc stopped and started again?
Answer: (d) During the Ice Ages

5. What did the study use to determine the strength of the Amoc currents?
Answer: (c) Data about sea surface temperatures from 1870

6. Why are some scientists skeptical of the study’s findings?
Answer: (a) They believe there is not enough evidence to support the Amoc weakening

7. What does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change think about the study?
Answer: (c) They disagree with the study’s findings

8. Why is it important to continue studying the Amoc?
Answer: (b) It plays a significant role in the global climate
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The collapse of the Gulf Stream could make temperatures colder and mess up rainfall patterns. (Answer: True)
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agrees with the study’s findings. (Answer: False)
3. The Gulf Stream system controls the currents in the Atlantic Ocean and affects the weather in Europe. (Answer: True)
4. Global warming is not affecting the Amoc due to melting ice caps and other sources of fresh water. (Answer: False)
5. The Gulf Stream system, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), does not bring warm water from the south to the north and then cool down and sink. (Answer: False)
6. Some scientists are skeptical about the study’s findings and believe the collapse of the Gulf Stream is not likely to happen so soon. (Answer: True)
7. The last time the Amoc stopped and restarted was not during the Ice Ages a long time ago. (Answer: False)
8. A new study suggests that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025, which would have a big impact on the climate. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧