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Effect of Regional Marine Cloud Brightening Interventions on Climate Tipping Elements
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  • Haruki Hirasawa,
  • Dipti Swapnil Hingmire,
  • Hansi Alice Singh,
  • Philip J. Rasch,
  • Peetak Mitra
Haruki Hirasawa
University of Victoria

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Dipti Swapnil Hingmire
University of Victoria
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Hansi Alice Singh
University of Victoria
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Philip J. Rasch
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (DOE)
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Peetak Mitra
Palo Alto Research Center
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Abstract

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.