Abstract
Comment
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Oral
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IAMAS
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M12 - Earth's Energy Budget
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Stratospheric aerosol radiative forcing and climate feedbacks
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1. Matthew , Toohey*, Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies,University of Saskatchewan
2. Minoo , Morovati, Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies,University of Saskatchewan
3. Taran , Warnock, Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies,University of Saskatchewan
4. Adam , Bourassa, Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies,University of Saskatchewan
*Presenting Author
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Radiative forcing from stratospheric aerosols produced by major volcanic eruptions is likely to be the primary forcing agent of preindustrial climate variability, and will have a significant impact on climate when the next strong eruption occurs. Understanding stratospheric aerosol radiative forcing is also essential to evaluate the impacts of intentional stratospheric aerosol injection as a possible countermeasure to anthropogenic climate change. Here we present advances in understanding of how stratospheric aerosol radiative forcing is related to aerosol properties, and how climate feedbacks shape the impact that stratospheric aerosol has on surface climate. We review methods for estimating the effective radiative forcing and climate feedback parameter from general circulation model simulations that include prescribed stratospheric aerosol optical properties. We compare and contrast the climate feedback to stratospheric aerosols with the feedback to CO2 forcing. We also share progress in quantifying inter-model differences in the forcing and climate feedback associated with stratospheric aerosols, and how these translate to uncertainties in predicting the impact of volcanic eruptions or geoengineering scenarios.