Geoengineering the atmosphere

Question 1

Name the two different types of geo-engineering methods.

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management

Question 2

List some activities that could potentially alter climate but which are NOT geo-engineering methods.

Answer 2

Examples include: mitigation of climate change, adaptation, net removal of CO2 that is already in the atmosphere, and reducing emissions by carbon capture and storage

Question 3

Explain how decreasing atmospheric CO2 concentration can cool climate.

Answer 3

Decreasing atmospheric CO2 concentration will cause outgoing long wave radiation at the top of the atmosphere to increase. Temperatures within the climate system will cool to restore the Earth’s energy budget to balance.

Question 4

How does solar geo-engineering methods affect global precipitation?

Answer 4

Solar geo-engineering methods manipulate the Earth’s energy budget. Atmospheric processes like the evaporation of moisture from Earth’s surface, condensation of water vapour to form cloud droplets, and precipitation all interact with Earth’s energy budget. For example, air and surface temperatures, the rate of radiative cooling of the atmosphere, and latent heat fluxes associated with the change in state of water within the atmosphere all affect precipitation.