Insights into natural climate feedbacks involving aerosols and clouds

by Prof. Ilona Riipinen (Stockholm University and Bolin Centre)

Tuesday 25 Mar 2025, 13:00 → 13:45 Europe/Stockholm

FB51 (AlbaNova Main Building)

Abstract:

The importance of climate feedbacks due to natural aerosols is expected to increase as anthropogenic air pollution is reduced. Estimates of the magnitude of these feedbacks deviate considerably at present: from practically negligible to substantial in the context of Earth’s radiation balance. The representation of aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI) is an important contributor to this uncertainty. In my seminar, I will discuss some of our recent work on the key processes relevant for natural aerosol feedbacks, with a particular focus on forest environments. I will also present some of our recent work on evaluating the ability of present Earth System Models (ESMs) to represent these feedbacks, utilizing a combination of long-term in-situ observations and remote sensing data. I will furthermore focus particularly on current research knowledge gaps in the fundamental understanding of molecular processes taking place in the atmosphere with relevance for the aforementioned feedbacks.

Prof Riipinen is Director at the Bolin Centre for Climate Research and
Professor of atmospheric sciences at the Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University.

Since 2024, she is a member of the DESIREE Steering Group where she contributes to bringing atmospheric science to the DESIREE agenda.