Impact of Regional Marine Cloud Brightening Interventions on Climate
Tipping Points
Abstract
It has been proposed that increasing greenhouse gas (GHG)-driven climate
tipping point risks may prompt consideration of Solar Radiation
Modification (SRM) climate intervention to reduce those risks. Here, we
study marine cloud brightening (MCB) SRM interventions in three
subtropical oceanic regions using the Community Earth System Model 2
(CESM2) experiments. We assess the response of tipping point-related
metrics to estimate the extent to which such interventions could reduce
tipping point risk. Both the pattern and magnitude of the MCB cooling
depend strongly on location of the MCB intervention. We find the MCB
cooling effect reduces tipping point risk overall; however, the distinct
pattern effects of MCB versus GHG means it is an imperfect remedy.
Indeed, if MCB is applied in certain oceanic regions, it may exacerbate
some tipping point risks. It is therefore crucial to carefully assess
the potential remote teleconnected response to MCB interventions to
reduce unintended climate impacts.