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Model simulations of the competing climatic effects of SO2 and CO2Sulfur dioxide-derived cloud condensation nuclei are expected to enhance the planetary albedo, thereby cooling the planet. This effect might counteract the global warming expected from enhanced greenhouse gases. A detailed treatment of the relationship between fossil fuel burning and the SO2 effect on cloud albedo is implemented in a two-dimensional model for assessing the climate impact. Using a conservative approach, results show that the cooling induced by the SO2 emission can presently counteract 50 percent of the CO2 greenhouse warming. Since 1980, a strong warming trend has been predicted by the model: 0.15 C during the 1980-1990 period alone. The model predicts that by the year 2060 the SO2 cooling reduces climate warming by 0.5 C or 25 percent for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) business as usual (BAU) scenario and 0.2 C or 20 percent for scenario D (for a slow pace of fossil fuel burning). The hypothesis is examined that the different responses between the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere can be used to validate the presence of the SO2-induced cooling.
Document ID
19930068345
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Kaufman, Yoram J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Chou, Ming-Dah
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Climate
Volume: 6
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0894-8755
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
93A52342
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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