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

Recommends the initiation of an integrated research program to study the role of aerosols in the predicted global climate change. This book argues for two kinds of research program integration: integration of the individual laboratory, field, and theoretical research activities, and a management structure involving the concerned federal agencies.

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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