MEOPAR is collaborating with JPI Climate and JPI Oceans on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) joint initiative. This initiative aims to develop a high impact scientific assessment of current knowledge on potential changes to the AMOC and its impacts. The assessment brings together 60 leading experts spanning 10 European countries and Canada, to provide policymakers with accessible, actionable research that supports informed decision-making.This initiative addresses a broad range of critical questions, from the biological, socio-economic and ecosystem impacts of AMOC changes to the semantics surrounding the most used terms like collapse, slowdown, and weakening of AMOC. The assessment will provide a balanced evaluation of the various methods and data used to assess AMOC stability and future projections, integrating perspectives on timescales and linking them to sea level rise.
The assessment includes six chapters, each designed to be an independent academic publication. Chapters are expected to be approximately 8–15 pages each. The six chapters are:
- AMOC in Focus
Provides an overview of AMOC processes, drivers, feedback, instability concerns, regional links, paleo evidence, observations, proxies, attribution, and models.
- State of the AMOC
Assesses the AMOC’s mean state and changes since industrialization, drawing on observations, reconstructions, reanalysis, model simulations, and confidence assessments.
- Future AMOC Weakening
Reviews AMOC projections and predictions, including IPCC AR6 findings, projection timeframes, uncertainties, model limitations, and missing processes.
- Are We Approaching an AMOC Tipping Point?
Examines tipping point definitions, evidence, detection methods, hosing experiments, key uncertainties, model and paleo evidence, and limits of current observations.
- Impacts and Risks
Assesses climatic, oceanic, biogeochemical, and regional impacts of AMOC reduction or collapse, including temperature shifts, sea ice expansion, circulation changes, hydrological shifts, marine heatwaves, carbon cycle feedback, and ocean oxygen changes.
- The Human Dimension, Responses, and Solutions
Explores societal impacts, socio-ecological linkages, risks to global goals, adaptation and mitigation needs, governance and equity issues, decision-making under uncertainty, response options, adaptation limits, and transformative low-regret actions.
MEOPAR is recruiting two reviewers for the near-final second-order draft of the AMOC assessment. This review marks the final stage of a year-long AMOC writing process that began in August 2025. Led by the co-chairs, the process included two draft stages and two internal reviews. Reviewers will be required to review at least one chapter, with the option of reviewing additional chapters where available.
External Review process
MEOPAR is soliciting expressions of interest from Canadian AMOC subject matter experts who will serve as external reviewers, ensuring the assessment is scientifically rigorous, exhaustive, objective and transparent. This review will be the first opportunity for experts to engage with the near-final draft text of this assessment. The two reviewers will join a Canadian expert cohort, as part of a broader international reviewer community from participating member countries. The review period will take place over four weeks in September 2026, with an estimated total time commitment of 10 hours. Reviewers may be eligible for compensation under MEOPAR’s Honorarium Policy. The reviewers will be supported by a Canadian-based Research Associate and a European-based research secretariat.
Expression of interest process
For those interested in applying as a subject matter expert reviewer for the near-final draft of the AMOC assessment, please send an email to jaee.nikam@meopar.ca with the following:
- A short interest letter outlining your expertise and experience to act as an expert subject matter reviewer for the AMOC assessment along with the chapter name (s) that they would like to review.
- CV/resume
Deadline for applications – 15th August 2026
Through collaboration, innovation, and respect for diverse knowledge systems, the nine projects above will contribute meaningful knowledge and tools to ocean scientists, industry, and coastal communities. MEOPAR is thrilled to support this incredible cohort of early career researchers from across Canada.
