Publication Abstracts
Rind et al. 2009
, R.A. Kahn, M. Chin, S.E. Schwartz, L.A. Remer, G. Feingold, H. Yu, P. Quinn, and R. Halthore, 2009: The way forward. In Aerosol Properties and Their Impacts on Climate, U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.3. M. Chin, R.A. Kahn, and S.E. Schwartz, Eds., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, pp. 98-104.
This volume has emphasized that despite the increase in understanding aerosol forcing of the climate system, many important uncertainties remain. By way of perspective, that concerted effort has been directed toward this issue only for about the past 20 years. In view of the variety of aerosol types and emissions, uncertain microphysical properties, great temporal and spatial variability, and the added complexity of aerosol-cloud interactions, it is easy to understand why much more work is required to define anthropogenic aerosol forcing with confidence comparable to that for other climate forcing agents.
When comparing surface temperature changes calculated by climate models with those observed, the IPCC AR4 noted "broad consistency" between the modeled and observed temperature record over the industrial period. However, understanding of the degree to which anthropogenic aerosols offset the better-established greenhouse gas forcing is still inadequate. This limits confidence in the predicted magnitude of climate response to future changes in greenhouse gases and aerosols.
This chapter briefly summarizes the major research needs that have been highlighted in previous chapters, recognizing that achieving them will not necessarily be easy or straightforward. Although some important accomplishments will likely be possible in the next decade, others may, realistically, take considerably longer.
- Get PDF (253 kB)
- PDF documents require the free Adobe Reader or compatible viewing software to be viewed.
Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]
BibTeX Citation
@inbook{ri09700z,
author={Rind, D. and Kahn, R. A. and Chin, M. and Schwartz, S. E. and Remer, L. A. and Feingold, G. and Yu, H. and Quinn, P. and Halthore, R.},
editor={Chin, M. and Kahn, R. A. and Schwartz, S. E.},
title={The way forward},
booktitle={Aerosol Properties and Their Impacts on Climate},
year={2009},
pages={98--104},
publisher={National Aeronautics and Space Administration},
address={Washington, D.C.},
}
[ Close ]
RIS Citation
TY - CHAP ID - ri09700z AU - Rind, D. AU - Kahn, R. A. AU - Chin, M. AU - Schwartz, S. E. AU - Remer, L. A. AU - Feingold, G. AU - Yu, H. AU - Quinn, P. AU - Halthore, R. ED - Chin, M. ED - Kahn, R. A. ED - Schwartz, S. E. PY - 2009 TI - The way forward BT - Aerosol Properties and Their Impacts on Climate SP - 98 EP - 104 PB - National Aeronautics and Space Administration CY - Washington, D.C. ER -
[ Close ]
