RIVERSIDE, CA — Anthropogenic Aerosols and Greenhouse Gases Shape Oceanic Heat Distribution
Anthropogenic aerosols—aerosols originating from human activity—and greenhouse gases (GHGs) have played distinct roles in shaping the pattern of heat uptake, redistribution, and storage in the world’s oceans since the industrial age. A University of California, Riverside-led team has conducted a study to isolate and quantify the effects of both forcers using coupled climate model simulations. The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, highlight the significant impact of anthropogenic aerosols and GHGs on oceanic heat distribution.
Understanding the Implications for Regional Sea Level Change
The study, led by Wei Liu, an assistant professor of climate change and sustainability in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, emphasizes the importance of comprehending the effects of individual anthropogenic forcings on oceanic heat redistribution and its implications for regional sea level change. This understanding will aid in the development of effective climate mitigation strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Anthropogenic Aerosols and GHGs as Main Drivers of Climate Change
Anthropogenic aerosols and GHGs have long been identified as main drivers of climate change. The team’s results advance the understanding of their effects on oceanic heat distribution. While anthropogenic GHGs have steadily increased since the historical period (around 1850), anthropogenic aerosols first increased during this period but started to decline in the 1980s due to air quality legislation in some regions.
Coupled Climate Model Simulations
The researchers primarily used the following coupled climate model simulations to analyze the historical period:
- HIST-AER — models driven solely by human-induced aerosol changes during the historical period.
- HIST-GHG — models driven solely by human-induced greenhouse gas changes during the historical period.
- HIST — models driven by all forcings, including human-induced aerosol and greenhouse gas changes, land use, and volcanic eruptions during the historical period.
- piControl — all forcings set to preindustrial time levels.
The study found that in the aerosol-forcing scenario, interbasin heat exchange—the heat exchange between ocean basins—is comparable to ocean heat uptake changes in modifying the stored heat. This effect is particularly evident in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans. On the other hand, in the greenhouse-gas-forcing scenario, interbasin heat exchange is far less important than ocean heat uptake changes, as temperature shifts strongly offset ocean circulation effects.
Implications for Sea Level Rise and Regional Climate Change
Interbasin heat exchange plays a crucial role in heat redistribution among basins, which can influence regional climate change and sea level rise. Rapid sea level rise has been a significant threat over the past century and will continue to be so in the future. Regional and coastal sea level changes, along with changes in extremes along coastlines, raise societal concerns such as the relocation of coastal communities and potential harm to natural resources and infrastructure.
Aerosol-Driven Changes in Ocean Circulation
The study found that aerosol-driven changes in ocean circulations and related interbasin heat transports are more effective in altering oceanic heat distribution than changes brought on by globally increasing GHGs. This difference may be attributed to the distribution patterns of aerosols and GHGs. While well-mixed GHGs increase globally, aerosol changes are primarily enhanced in the Northern Hemisphere due to higher human activities and industries.
Model Results and Observations
The research team compared their model results with observations and found that the oceanic warming from model simulations closely matched real-world observations. This validation strengthens the reliability of the study’s findings.
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and conducted by Wei Liu, Shouwei Li, Robert J. Allen, Jia-Rui Shi, and Laifang Li.
– This press release was originally published on the University of California – Riverside website
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the effects of anthropogenic aerosols and greenhouse gases on the oceans and their role in shaping heat distribution and storage. This directly relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
- Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States
The article emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic forcings on oceanic heat redistribution and its implications for regional sea level change. This aligns with the targets mentioned above, as they focus on building resilience, improving education and awareness, and promoting capacity-building for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
- Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
- Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology, and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management
The article doesn’t explicitly mention indicators, but based on the targets identified, the above indicators can be used to measure progress towards those targets. These indicators focus on measuring the impact of disasters, integration of climate change education, and support provided to least developed countries and small island developing States for climate change planning and management.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula |
| Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States | Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology, and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management |
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Source: labmanager.com
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