Giant Parachutes Deployed in Controversial Geoengineering Effort to Stabilize Gulf Stream Amid Climate Crisis

Scientists Propose Towing Giant Parachutes to Save Critical Ocean Current

As climate change accelerates, experts warn the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a vital ocean current that drives the Gulf Stream and warms Europe—is at risk of collapse. Researchers suggest an unconventional fix: using ships to tow massive underwater parachutes to manually power the current and avert a potential climate disaster.

The Threat to AMOC

AMOC acts as a global conveyor belt, transporting warm tropical waters northward. Near Greenland, this water cools, becomes denser, and sinks, flowing back south to repeat the cycle. This process keeps Europe 5–20°C warmer than it would otherwise be. However, melting Arctic ice and rising temperatures are disrupting this delicate balance, threatening to stall the current. A collapse could plunge Europe into a deep freeze and destabilize global weather patterns.

The Parachute Proposal

Scientists Stuart Haszeldine (University of Edinburgh) and David Sevier propose deploying giant parachutes—each the size of half a football field—towed by ships, drones, or wind kites. The parachutes, equipped with 12-meter-wide holes to allow marine life passage, would be dragged through key areas of the AMOC at walking speed (2.5 mph). Just 30–50 vessels operating year-round could theoretically generate enough energy to sustain the current.

Scientists propose towing parachutes resembling sea anchors (concept shown) to stimulate ocean currents.

How It Works

The parachutes would amplify the current’s flow in shallow zones where AMOC is concentrated. The team estimates the energy required would equal a small offshore wind farm’s output. Using biodiesel, the operation might emit 2.6 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—a “low cost” compared to the catastrophic impacts of AMOC shutdown.

Skepticism from Experts

Critics argue the plan overlooks the AMOC’s complexity. Dr. René van Westen (Utrecht University) notes that the current moves 17 million cubic meters of water per second—equivalent to all Earth’s rivers combined. Parachutes might affect surface layers but wouldn’t address deeper currents driven by sinking dense water.

Meric Srokosz (National Oceanography Centre) adds, “The physics doesn’t work,” comparing the effort to pushing bathwater with a hand. Without resolving the root cause—reduced density from melting ice—the solution risks being ineffective.

Satellite image of UK snow (2010) illustrates potential cooling if AMOC weakens.

A Race Against Time

While the parachute idea remains controversial, it highlights the urgency of addressing AMOC’s destabilization. As portrayed dramatically in The Day After Tomorrow, a shutdown could trigger abrupt climate shifts. Though the film exaggerates timelines, scientists stress that preventing collapse requires tackling climate change itself—not just its symptoms.

The Day After Tomorrow depicted a fictional AMOC collapse, underscoring real-world climate risks.

The proposal underscores humanity’s creativity in combating climate crises, but experts agree: reducing emissions and protecting polar ice are essential to safeguarding Earth’s climate systems.