As part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the Gulf Stream, which is wind-powered, could weaken from climate change. During the last ice age, it was stronger than today due to more powerful winds across the subtropical North Atlantic. It could mean that if climate change causes a reduction in subtropical winds in the future, the Gulf Stream could also weaken, limiting the amount of tropical heat reaching Europe, cooling the continent, and causing higher sea levels in North America. Climate change could additionally weaken the AMOC as melting glacial water pouring off Greenland disrupts deepwater formation, also preventing warm tropical water from reaching Europe, thus cooling the continent.
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jul/gulf-stream-wind-powered-and-could-weaken-climate-change