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Although continental-scale plumes of Asian dust and pollution reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth's surface and perturb the chemistry of the atmosphere, our ability to quantify these effects has been limited by a lack of critical observations, particularly of layers above the surface. Comprehensive surface, airborne, shipboard, and satellite measurements of Asian aerosol chemical composition, size, optical properties, and radiative impacts were performed during the Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-Asia) study. Measurements within a massive Chinese dust storm at numerous widely spaced sampling locations revealed the highly complex structure of the atmosphere, in which layers of dust, urban pollution, and biomass- burning smoke may be transported long distances as distinct entities or mixed together. The data allow a first-time assessment of the regional climatic and atmospheric chemical effects of a continental-scale mixture of dust and pollution. Our results show that radiative flux reductions during such episodes are sufficient to cause regional climate change.
Although continental-scale plumes of Asian dust and pollution reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth's surface and perturb the chemistry of the atmosphere, our ability to quantify these effects has been limited by a lack of critical observations, particularly of layers above the surface. Comprehensive surface, airborne, shipboard, and satellite measurements of Asian aerosol chemical composition, size, optical properties, and radiative impacts were performed during the Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-Asia) study. Measurements within a massive Chinese dust storm at numerous widely spaced sampling locations revealed the highly complex structure of the atmosphere, in which layers of dust, urban pollution, and biomass- burning smoke may be transported long distances as distinct entities or mixed together. The data allow a first-time assessment of the regional climatic and atmospheric chemical effects of a continental-scale mixture of dust and pollution. Our results show that radiative flux reductions during such episodes are sufficient to cause regional climate change.
scientific information differently in the decision-making process ( Dessai and van der Sluijs 2007 ). Nevertheless, whenever scientific climate information is used in adaptation, “quality” is considered to be an essential characteristic that this information should have (e.g., Lu 2011 ; Wilby et al. 2009 ; for a general overview on quality of science for policy, see Funtowicz and Ravetz 1990 ). The kind of long-term regional climate information that is increasingly important for decision-makers (see
scientific information differently in the decision-making process ( Dessai and van der Sluijs 2007 ). Nevertheless, whenever scientific climate information is used in adaptation, “quality” is considered to be an essential characteristic that this information should have (e.g., Lu 2011 ; Wilby et al. 2009 ; for a general overview on quality of science for policy, see Funtowicz and Ravetz 1990 ). The kind of long-term regional climate information that is increasingly important for decision-makers (see
play an important role in global and regional climate change through direct and indirect effects. The direct effects influence the radiation and energy budget of Earth, mainly by absorbing and scattering solar and terrestrial radiation ( Dubovik et al. 2002 ; Menon 2004 ). The indirect effects, however, are more complicated. Aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), thereby participating in the process of cloud formation, evolution, and dissipation, which changes the microphysical
play an important role in global and regional climate change through direct and indirect effects. The direct effects influence the radiation and energy budget of Earth, mainly by absorbing and scattering solar and terrestrial radiation ( Dubovik et al. 2002 ; Menon 2004 ). The indirect effects, however, are more complicated. Aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), thereby participating in the process of cloud formation, evolution, and dissipation, which changes the microphysical
An overview is presented of the GLENS project, a community-wide effort enabling analyses of global and regional changes from stratospheric aerosol geoengineering in the presence of internal climate variability. Solar geoengineering using stratospheric sulfate aerosols has been discussed as a potential means of deliberately offsetting some of the effects of climate change ( Crutzen 2006 ). Various model studies have demonstrated that reducing incoming solar radiation globally can offset the
An overview is presented of the GLENS project, a community-wide effort enabling analyses of global and regional changes from stratospheric aerosol geoengineering in the presence of internal climate variability. Solar geoengineering using stratospheric sulfate aerosols has been discussed as a potential means of deliberately offsetting some of the effects of climate change ( Crutzen 2006 ). Various model studies have demonstrated that reducing incoming solar radiation globally can offset the
scales. The SEP is very important in many ways. The region produces nearly a fifth of the global fish catch ( Sherman and Hempel 2008 ), and variations in its climate can have global reach through teleconnections and aerosol indirect effects. The SEP is characterized by strong coastal ocean upwelling, the coldest sea surface temperatures (SSTs) at comparable latitudes, the planet's most extensive subtropical stratocumulus deck, and a high and steep cordillera to the east ( Fig. 1 ). The regional
scales. The SEP is very important in many ways. The region produces nearly a fifth of the global fish catch ( Sherman and Hempel 2008 ), and variations in its climate can have global reach through teleconnections and aerosol indirect effects. The SEP is characterized by strong coastal ocean upwelling, the coldest sea surface temperatures (SSTs) at comparable latitudes, the planet's most extensive subtropical stratocumulus deck, and a high and steep cordillera to the east ( Fig. 1 ). The regional
features, particularly tropical convection or “storm” cells. Research studies and weather forecasting over Africa have made use of models that explicitly capture convection for some years (see the “Science discoveries” section). However, in the global and regional models commonly used to inform adaptation, such as from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) or Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), only the bulk effects of convection over the model grid scale (typically
features, particularly tropical convection or “storm” cells. Research studies and weather forecasting over Africa have made use of models that explicitly capture convection for some years (see the “Science discoveries” section). However, in the global and regional models commonly used to inform adaptation, such as from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) or Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), only the bulk effects of convection over the model grid scale (typically
Integrated monitoring systems for the land surface, boundary layer, troposphere, and lower stratosphere over the Tibetan Plateau promote the understanding of the Earth–atmosphere coupled processes and their effects on weather and climate. The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the “sensible heat pump” and the “atmospheric water tower,” modifies monsoon circulations and regional energy and water cycles over Asia ( Wu and Zhang 1998 ; Zhao and Chen 2001a ; Wu et al. 2007 ; Xu et al. 2008b ; Zhou
Integrated monitoring systems for the land surface, boundary layer, troposphere, and lower stratosphere over the Tibetan Plateau promote the understanding of the Earth–atmosphere coupled processes and their effects on weather and climate. The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the “sensible heat pump” and the “atmospheric water tower,” modifies monsoon circulations and regional energy and water cycles over Asia ( Wu and Zhang 1998 ; Zhao and Chen 2001a ; Wu et al. 2007 ; Xu et al. 2008b ; Zhou
possible changes that anthropogenic global warming might induce in the climate of the European continent and of the Mediterranean region. Specifically, scenario simulations aimed at quantifying the possible future climate change in the European and Mediterranean region have been designed and performed in the framework of European Union (EU) projects such as the Prediction of Regional Scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining European Climate Change Risks and Effects (PRUDENCE; Christensen et al. 2007
possible changes that anthropogenic global warming might induce in the climate of the European continent and of the Mediterranean region. Specifically, scenario simulations aimed at quantifying the possible future climate change in the European and Mediterranean region have been designed and performed in the framework of European Union (EU) projects such as the Prediction of Regional Scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining European Climate Change Risks and Effects (PRUDENCE; Christensen et al. 2007
transported upward into the atmosphere. From there, the heat is radiated back to space and the moisture may condense and form clouds. Some of the condensate grows large enough to fall back to Earth's surface as precipitation. In this regard, moist convection plays a crucial role in the energy and water cycles of the tropics as well as the variability of the tropical climate system. In concert with its effects on the tropics per se, moist convection can generate planetary (Rossby) waves, which affect
transported upward into the atmosphere. From there, the heat is radiated back to space and the moisture may condense and form clouds. Some of the condensate grows large enough to fall back to Earth's surface as precipitation. In this regard, moist convection plays a crucial role in the energy and water cycles of the tropics as well as the variability of the tropical climate system. In concert with its effects on the tropics per se, moist convection can generate planetary (Rossby) waves, which affect
mitigate the impacts of and successfully adapt to a changing climate will require the investment of trillions of dollars worldwide over the next several decades. In order for these investments to be made efficiently and effectively, accurate predictions of changes in both the mean climate and the frequency of extreme events will be required at the regional level. However, state-of-the-art climate models cannot accurately predict regional climate variations, due largely to their relatively coarse
mitigate the impacts of and successfully adapt to a changing climate will require the investment of trillions of dollars worldwide over the next several decades. In order for these investments to be made efficiently and effectively, accurate predictions of changes in both the mean climate and the frequency of extreme events will be required at the regional level. However, state-of-the-art climate models cannot accurately predict regional climate variations, due largely to their relatively coarse
