Counteracting global warming by using a locally optimized solar
radiation management
Abstract
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is regarded as a tool to potentially
counteract global warming by increasing planetary albedo. Even though it
has shown effective results in offsetting global surface temperature,
one of its main limits lies in the persistence of major regional
anomalies, for both surface temperature and precipitation. Here, using
the Globally Resolved Energy Balance (GREB) model, we present
experiments designed to completely offset global and regional surface
temperature response due to CO2 forcing. Our innovative idea, is to
employ a spatially and seasonally optimized SRM, as opposed to the
state-of-the-art geoengineering which utilizes a homogeneous one. This
approach allows to cut down surface warming by more than 99% in nearly
all regions and seasons, with the exception of polar regions. This pilot
study is opening up interesting pathways for further experiments with
more complex models, to completely compensate global warming with SRM.