Global estimate of aerosol direct radiative forcing from satellite measurements

Article Abstract:

State-of-the-art satellite based measurements of aerosols and surface wind speed is used to estimate the clear-sky direct radiative forcing for 2002, incorporating measurements over land and ocean and Monte Carlo approach is used to account for uncertainities in aerosol measurements and in the algorithm used. The results suggest that present-day direct radiative forcing is stronger than present model estimates, implying future atmospheric warming greater than is predicted, as aerosol emissions continue to decline.

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The cloud conundrum

Article Abstract:

The change in precipitation efficiency is termed as one of the indirect effect of smaller droplets and calculated to increase both the total cloud cover and the total amount of liquid that is held within clouds. These two effects increase the total reflected solar radiation even more and lead to a conundrum. The different ways in which conundrum may be solved is discussed.

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Observational evidence of a change in radiative forcing due to the indirect aerosol effect

Article Abstract:

Anthropogenic aerosols enhance cloud reflectivity leading to a cooling effect on climate known as the indirect aerosol effect. Observational evidence for a substantial alteration of radiative fluxes is provided, which is caused due to the indirect effects on radiative forcing.

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