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Increasing aerosol emissions from boreal biomass burning exacerbate Arctic warming

Author

Listed:
  • Qirui Zhong

    (Peking University)

  • Nick Schutgens

    (Vrije Universiteit)

  • Sander Veraverbeke

    (Vrije Universiteit
    University of East Anglia)

  • Guido R. Werf

    (Wageningen University and Research)

Abstract

The Northern Hemisphere boreal region is undergoing rapid warming, leading to an upsurge in biomass burning. Previous studies have primarily focused on greenhouse gas emissions from these fires, whereas the associated biomass burning aerosols (BBAs) have received less attention. Here we use satellite-constrained modelling to assess the radiative effect of aerosols from boreal fires on the climate in the Arctic region. We find a substantial increase in boreal BBA emissions associated with warming over the past two decades, causing pronounced positive radiative effects during Arctic summer mostly due to increased solar absorption. At a global warming level of 1 °C above current temperatures, boreal BBA emissions are projected to increase 6-fold, further warming the Arctic and potentially negating the benefits of ambitious anthropogenic black carbon mitigation. Given the high sensitivity of boreal and Arctic fires to climate change, our results underscore the increasingly relevant role of BBAs in Arctic climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Qirui Zhong & Nick Schutgens & Sander Veraverbeke & Guido R. Werf, 2024. "Increasing aerosol emissions from boreal biomass burning exacerbate Arctic warming," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 14(12), pages 1275-1281, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:14:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1038_s41558-024-02176-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02176-y
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