years after which time the Arctic ice cap is expected to melt completely, a consequence of which could be the establishing of new ocean currents flowing where the Artic ice once existed. This also seems unlikely but again, can't be completely ruled out. Source(s): I'm a UK based climatologist and a few years ago my team were comissioned to study the possible effects of global warming on thermohaline circulation and more specifically on the Gulf Stream, whilst at the same time conducting research into harnessing the power of the ocean currents to generate electricity - something that the Irish are now developing (although not as a result of our research). Wrong. That scenario had to do with ice sheet melt water changing the salinity of the Gulf Stream, but the theoretical "shut down" scenario is not viewed as the most likely outcome at this time. By the way, why not disclose your source? Here's some information that may be a bit more reliable. 'Antarctica lost much more ice to the sea than it gained from snowfall according to a NASA survey done between 1992 and 2002. It also had a corresponding rise in sea level. The survey documented for the first time extensive thinning of the West Antarctic ice shelves. " http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/2\\... Some tipping points for climate change could be closer than previously thought. Scientists are predicting that the loss of the massive Greenland ice sheet may now be unstoppable and lead to catastrophic sea-level rises around the world. Professor