The regional hydroclimate response to stratospheric sulfate geoengineering and the role of stratospheric heating

However, before embarking on any such strategy, a comprehensive understanding of its impacts must be obtained. Here, a 20-member ensemble of simulations with the Community Earth System Model with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model as its atmospheric component is used to investigate the projected hydroclimate changes that occur when greenhouse gas-driven warming, under a high emissions scenario, is offset with stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.

Notable features of the late 21st century hydroclimate response, relative to present day, include a reduction in precipitation in the Indian summer monsoon, over much of Africa, Amazonia and southern Chile and a wintertime precipitation reduction over the Mediterranean. Over most of these regions, the soil desiccation that occurs with global warming is, however, largely offset by the geoengineering. A notable exception is India, where soil desiccation and an approximate doubling of the likelihood of monsoon failures occurs.