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Explore technical uncertainties in SAI* research

A dynamic, public, scientifically-grounded assessment of the key technical uncertainties in SAI, focusing on questions related to physical and chemical processes and engineering feasibility.

*Stratospheric Aerosol Injection

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Uncertainty visualizations
Visualizations
Matrix view
Climate response

Volcanic Eruptions During Deployment

Changes in how a sulfur-rich volcanic eruption impacts the climate during SAI compared to a climate without intervention
Climate response

Stratospheric Ozone

Impact on stratospheric ozone due to changes in physical and chemical processes
Climate response

Stratospheric Transport Feedback

Effect of stratospheric heating due to aerosol LW absorption on stratospheric transport
Climate response

Cirrus Cloud Response

Changes to cirrus clouds due to SAI, such as via changes in vertical temperature gradient
Climate response

Large-Scale Modes of Atmospheric or Atmosphere-Ocean Variability

Change in mean-state or variance of large-scale modes of atmospheric or atmosphere-ocean variability — such as the ENSO, NAO, PDO, and SAM
Climate response

Surface Climate Response to Stratospheric Heating

Impacts of stratospheric heating on the surface climate via changes to stratospheric dynamics which project onto the tropospheric response
Climate response

Tropical Circulation

Changes in tropical circulation — including monsoons, the MJO and the Walker circulation
Climate response

Extratropical Circulation

Changes in extratropical circulation – including jet streams, storm tracks and the polar vortices
Climate response

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Changes to Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength under SAI, including tipping dynamics
Climate response

Stratospheric Water Vapor

Impact of increased aerosol SAD-induced stratospheric heating on eventual increased water vapor in the stratosphere
Engineering

Climate Response Monitoring

Feasibility of and timeline to ensure sufficient monitoring of critical climate system components whose response must be observed to maximise learning from observed changes under SAI