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Climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosolsAlthough long considered to be of marginal importance to global climate change, tropospheric aerosol contributes substantially to radiative forcing, and anthropogenic sulfate aerosol, in particular, has imposed a major perturbation to this forcing. Both the direct scattering of short-wavelength solar radiation and the modification of the shortwave reflective properties of clouds by sulfate aerosol particles increase planetary albedo, thereby exerting a cooling influence on the planet. Current climate forcing due to anthropogenic sulfate is estimated to be -1 to -2 watts per square meter, globally averaged. This perturbation is comparable in magnitude to current anthropogenic greenhouse gas forcing but opposite in sign. Thus, the aerosol forcing has likely offset global greenhouse warming to a substantial degree. However, differences in geographical and seasonal distributions of these forcings preclude any simple compensation. Aerosol effects must be taken into account in evaluating anthropogenic influences on past, current, and projected future climate and in formulating policy regarding controls on emission of greenhouse gases and sulfur dioxide. Resolution of such policy issues requires integrated research on the magnitude and geographical distribution of aerosol climate forcing and on the controlling chemical and physical processes.
Document ID
19920039724
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Charlson, R. J.
(Washington, University Seattle, United States)
Schwartz, S. E.
(Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY, United States)
Hales, J. M.
(Pacific Northwest Laboratory Richland, WA, United States)
Cess, R. D.
(New York, State University Stony Brook, United States)
Coakley, J. A., Jr.
(Oregon State University Corvallis, United States)
Hansen, J. E.
(NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies New York, United States)
Hofmann, D. J.
(NOAA, Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory, Boulder CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 24, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 255
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
92A22348
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG02-85ER-60314
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-AC06-76RL-01830
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-AC02-76CH-00016
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-13825
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-89-12669
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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