We study the sensitivity of South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM) precipitation to Southern Hemisphere (SH) subtropical Absorbed Solar Radiation (ASR) changes using Community Earth System Model 2 simulations. Reducing positive ASR biases over the SH subtropics impacts SASM, and is sensitive to the ocean basin where changes are imposed. Radiation changes over the SH subtropical Indian Ocean (IO) shifts rainfall over the equatorial IO northward causing 1-2 mm/day drying south of equator, changes over the SH subtropical Pacific increases precipitation over northern continental regions by 1-2 mm/day, and changes over the SH subtropical Atlantic have little effect on SASM precipitation. Radiation changes over the subtropical Pacific impacts the SASM through zonal circulation changes, while changes over the IO modify meridional circulation to bring about changes in precipitation over northern IO. Our findings suggest that reducing SH subtropical radiation biases in climate models may also reduce SASM precipitation biases.

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 Community Earth System Model 2 (CESM2) experiments. We assess the MCB impact on tipping element-related metrics to estimate the extent to which such interventions might reduce tipping element risks. Both the pattern and magnitude of the MCB cooling depend strongly on location of the MCB intervention. We find the MCB cooling effect reduces most tipping element impacts; though differences in MCB versus GHG climate response patterns mean MCB is an imperfect remedy. However, MCB applied in certain regions may exacerbate certain GHG tipping element impacts. Thus, it is crucial to carefully consider the pattern of MCB interventions and their teleconnected responses to avoid unintended climate effects.