Using ocean current modification to maintain present Atlantic Ocean Meridian Current heat balances

Global ocean currents play an essential role in maintaining regional and global climate through their ability to move or remove heat from regions, with minimal energy input. The rate at which heat is transferred or removed from a region via ocean currents can have significant regional and global weather impacts. The ability to maintain or change ocean current position and flow would be a powerful tool for addressing some of the problems caused by the current climate crisis. However the Atlantic Ocean Meridian Current (AMOC) has faltered in the geological past and could do so in the imminent future. We examine a method that could impart extra energy to ocean currents such as the AMOC to increase/restore identified losses of flow. Our discussed method transfers energy derived from existing shipping wind, and solar sources to increase current flows.


We specifically look at how the energy (1.025 x 109 J/s) to move an extra 1 million m3 of seawater at 1 m/s, 1 Sv, could be achieved by dragging variable orifice sea anchors behind a fleet of low cost remotely controlled vessels, or drones, that follow specific paths. We discuss options for the design of these devices and how they may be rapidly developed largely from existing commercial supplies as part of a coordinated strategy for development of this technology.


How and where the current modifying technology is deployed and continued will depend upon what desired outcomes are chosen and should be driven by prior climate modelling and agreed international consensus. There are significant risks of deployment of this technology by “state first” actors that could purposefully redirect currents to benefit their nation/region at the expense of other regions/ global climate. There is a strong need to regulate the deployment of this new technology at scale from UN Level and for ongoing monitoring of ocean currents to ensure that agreed flow structures are maintained and not modified without prior agreement.


Using ocean current modification (OCM) to maintaining existing currents and heat balances is seen as a low risk and reversible option geo-engineering option, potentially augmented by direct air capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide (DAC).


Modification of Atlantic current systems to extend the period of time that Arctic Sea ice is maintained may also be possible with this technology and we explore how this could be done.