Global Weather Patterns

The oceans, which play a main role in global weather patterns, will also see extensive shifts as global temperatures rise. Ocean currents and circulation patterns evolve on time scales of decades and longer, and fisheries change in response. We lack reliable, physics-based models to tell us how this occurs. Our best knowledge is built on what we have seen in the past, like how fish populations respond to El Niño’s cycle. Climate change will further undermine our already limited ability to make these predictions. Anticipating ocean resources from one year to the next will become harder.

Fortunately though, civilization’s understanding of Earth has expanded enormously in recent decades, making humanity safer and more flourishing. As the patterns that we have come to expect are disrupted by warming temperatures, we will face huge challenges feeding a growing population and prospering within our planet’s finite resources. New developments in science offer the best hope for keeping up, but this is by no means guaranteed.