Presentation Title: | The potential impacts of solar radiation management on rainfall enhancement programmes |
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Full Name: | Christopher Lennard |
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Affiliation / Institution: | University of Cape Town |
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Abstract: | As the earth warms the atmosphere is able to hold more water vapour which results in a projected nett increase in global rainfall. Here the Clausius-Clapeyron relationship predicts an increase in the capacity of air to hold water vapour (the saturation water vapor pressure) of approximately 7% per degree Celsius rise in temperature.
Solar radiation modification (SRM) would reduce the tare of global temperature increase and thus reduce the capacity of the atmosphere to hold more water. Reduced warming rates of warming under SRM would result in smaller increases in atmospheric water content, lower specific humidities and therefore changes in regional rainfall patterns including over the African Sahel and Arabian Peninsula.
In this paper we present uncertainties around projections in rainfall over regions of the Arabian peninsula that conduct rainfall enhancement programmes and the impact regional and global SRM may have on the efficacy of these programmes. |