A Plan for a Research Program on Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Climate Change

This book recommends the initiation of an "integrated" research program to study the role of aerosols in the predicted global climate change. Current understanding suggest that, even now, aerosols, primarily from anthropogenic sources, may be reducing the rate of warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to specific research recommendations, this book forcefully argues for two kinds of research program integration: integration of the individual laboratory, field, and theoretical research activities and an integrated management structure that involves all of the concerned federal agencies.

Table of Contents

• FRONT MATTER
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• 1 CLIMATE FORCING BY AEROSOLS
• 2 ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR AEROSOL FORCING OF CLIMATE
• 3 SENSITIVITY/UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS AND THE SETTING OF PRIORITIES
• 4 THE PROPOSED ICARUS PROGRAM AND RECOMMENDED RESEARCH
• REFERENCES
• APPENDIX A ILLUSTRATIONS OF RECOMMENDED RESEARCH, EMPHASIZING RECENT LITERATURE
• APPENDIX B ACRONYMS AND OTHER INITIALS