Publication Abstracts

Charlson et al. 1992

Charlson, R.J., S.E. Schwartz, J.M. Hales, R.D. Cess, J.A. Coakley, Jr., J.E. Hansen, and D.J. Hoffman, 1992: Climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols. Science, 255, 423-430, doi:10.1126/science.255.5043.423.

Although 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 ooposite 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 chemcial and physical processes.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{ch06200v,
  author={Charlson, R. J. and Schwartz, S. E. and Hales, J. M. and Cess, R. D. and Coakley, Jr., J. A. and Hansen, J. E. and Hoffman, D. J.},
  title={Climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols},
  year={1992},
  journal={Science},
  volume={255},
  pages={423--430},
  doi={10.1126/science.255.5043.423},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - ch06200v
AU  - Charlson, R. J.
AU  - Schwartz, S. E.
AU  - Hales, J. M.
AU  - Cess, R. D.
AU  - Coakley, J. A., Jr.
AU  - Hansen, J. E.
AU  - Hoffman, D. J.
PY  - 1992
TI  - Climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols
JA  - Science
VL  - 255
SP  - 423
EP  - 430
DO  - 10.1126/science.255.5043.423
ER  -

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