The film's depiction of climate change is based on the idea of a sudden and unexpected change in the Earth's climate, caused by a shutdown of the thermohaline circulation (THC) in the North Atlantic Ocean. The THC plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by transporting heat from the equator to the poles. A shutdown of the THC would have significant effects on global climate patterns, leading to rapid cooling in some regions and warming in others.