"Sunshade World": a fully coupled GCM evaluation of the climatic impacts of geoengineering

Lunt, Daniel J.; Ridgwell, A.; Valdes, P.J.; Seale, A.. 2008 "Sunshade World": a fully coupled GCM evaluation of the climatic impacts of geoengineering. Geophysical Research Letters, 35 (12), L12710. 5, pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL033674

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Abstract/Summary

Sunshade geoengineering - the installation of reflective mirrors between the Earth and the Sun to reduce incoming solar radiation, has been proposed as a mitigative measure to counteract anthropogenic global warming. Although the popular conception is that geoengineering can re-establish a 'natural' pre-industrial climate, such a scheme would itself inevitably lead to climate change, due to the different temporal and spatial forcing of increased CO2 compared to reduced solar radiation. We investigate the magnitude and nature of this climate change for the first time within a fully coupled General Circulation Model. We find significant cooling of the tropics, warming of high latitudes and related sea ice reduction, a reduction in intensity of the hydrological cycle, reduced ENSO variability, and an increase in Atlantic overturning. However, the changes are small relative to those associated with an unmitigated rise in CO2 emissions. Other problems such as ocean acidification remain unsolved by sunshade geoengineering.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL033674
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Greenhouse to Icehouse. Evolution of the Antarctic Cryosphere and Palaeoenvironment
ISSN:	0094-8276
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Earth Sciences Electronics, Engineering and Technology
Date made live:	18 Jan 2011 09:19 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11559

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