Previous studies of geoengineering approaches − which are aimed at averting climate change − have shown that, although the average global temperature could be restored to ’normal’ levels, some regions would remain too warm, whereas others would ’overshoot’ and cool to much. In addition, average rainfall would be reduced.
This new study looked at the impacts of different strengths of geoengineering, from full strength (sufficient to return global average temperatures back to normal) through to no geoengineering at all.
The researchers looked at how the impacts caused by these different strengths of geoengineering differed from region to region, using a comprehensive climate model developed by the UK Met Office that replicates all the important aspects of the climate system, including the atmospheric, ocean and land processes, and their interactions.
Their analysis revealed that with increasing geoengineering strength most regions become drier, while others buck the trend and become increasingly wet. For example, the US became drier with increasing geoengineering and returned to normal conditions under half-strength geoengineering, whereas Australia became wetter, returning to normal conditions only for full-strength geoengineering
Bristol University’s Pete Irvine, a postgraduate student at the university’s school of geographical sciences, pointed out that there are likely to be disagreements over any future geoengineering schemes: ’If there is a large amount of global warming in the future there will be no strength of geoengineering that will be best for everyone; some may be better off without any geoengineering, while others may do better with a large amount.’
The researchers suggest that global average figures are too simple a measure to assess the impacts of geoengineering and that decision makers need to consider a variety of impacts, such as on regional precipitation, sea-level response and global crop yield, before deciding whether embarking on geoengineering would be the right choice.
However, the work does offer some way forward. Dr Dan Lunt, a senior research fellow in the geographical science department, added: ’Our simulations indicate that it might be possible to identify a strength of geoengineering capable of meeting multiple targets, such as maintaining a stable mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet and cooling global climate, but without reducing global precipitation below normal amounts or exposing significant fractions of the Earth to unusual climate conditions.’
Engineers are investigating ’last resort’ technologies to put climate change into reverse, but some claim they are clouding the issue. Click here to read more (subscription required).
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