Open AccessGlobal warming potentials modified for surface radiative forcing for use in surface energy balance models
Author(s) -
Evans W. F. J.,
Puckrin E.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1006/asle.2001.0027
Subject(s) - radiative forcing , greenhouse gas , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , forcing (mathematics) , climatology , earth's energy budget , global warming , radiative transfer , energy balance , tropopause , climate model , water vapor , cloud forcing , greenhouse effect , climate change , water balance , troposphere , meteorology , radiation , physics , aerosol , thermodynamics , geology , oceanography , quantum mechanics , geotechnical engineering
Abstract The radiative impact of greenhouse gases in warming the Earth varies significantly, depending on whether one considers the forcing at the tropopause or at the surface. Compared to the former, the surface forcing for some greenhouse gases is reduced by the interference of water vapour. Hence, we calculate alternative surface global warming potentials (SGWPs) that are derived from the surface forcing radiation of greenhouse gases for potential use in surface radiative energy balance models (SREBMs). For gases with a large water vapour overlap, the SGWPs are typically 30% smaller than current GWPs; for gases with relatively little overlap, the SGWPs are larger by more than 33%. These results may be used in conjunction with SREBMs as an additional means of calculating climate change, and may lead to an altered emissions budget compared to that outlined by the current Kyoto agreement. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.