Reassessment of pre-industrial fire emissions strongly affects anthropogenic aerosol forcing

D. S. Hamilton (), S. Hantson, C. E. Scott, J. O. Kaplan, K. J. Pringle, L. P. Nieradzik, A. Rap, G. A. Folberth, D. V. Spracklen and K. S. Carslaw
Additional contact information
D. S. Hamilton: University of Leeds
S. Hantson: Atmospheric Environmental Research
C. E. Scott: University of Leeds
J. O. Kaplan: ARVE Research SARL
K. J. Pringle: University of Leeds
L. P. Nieradzik: Lund University
A. Rap: University of Leeds
G. A. Folberth: Met Office Hadley Centre
D. V. Spracklen: University of Leeds
K. S. Carslaw: University of Leeds

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Uncertainty in pre-industrial natural aerosol emissions is a major component of the overall uncertainty in the radiative forcing of climate. Improved characterisation of natural emissions and their radiative effects can therefore increase the accuracy of global climate model projections. Here we show that revised assumptions about pre-industrial fire activity result in significantly increased aerosol concentrations in the pre-industrial atmosphere. Revised global model simulations predict a 35% reduction in the calculated global mean cloud albedo forcing over the Industrial Era (1750–2000 CE) compared to estimates using emissions data from the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. An estimated upper limit to pre-industrial fire emissions results in a much greater (91%) reduction in forcing. When compared to 26 other uncertain parameters or inputs in our model, pre-industrial fire emissions are by far the single largest source of uncertainty in pre-industrial aerosol concentrations, and hence in our understanding of the magnitude of the historical radiative forcing due to anthropogenic aerosol emissions.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05592-9

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