transformation of biogenic
volatile organic compounds, primary biological
aerosols, secondary organic aerosols and dust.
Integration of new fundamental understanding
gained in BACCHUS in Earth Systems Models
allows reducing the uncertainty in future climate
projections.
In detail BACCHUS will carry out the following
work:
- Collect and harmonize aerosol, cloud
condensation nuclei (CCN), ice nuclei (IN) and
cloud microphysical properties datasets (WP1);
- Perform process studies of the role of both
organic and inorganic aerosol in CCN/IN and
derive from them parameterizations for use in
Earth System Models (ESMs) (WP2)
- Study the key processes controlling cloud
systems in contrasting environments and the
role of aerosols vs. dynamics for different cloud
systems (WP3)
- Explore aerosol and cloud related feedback
processes in the climate system using ESMs
and conduct future climate scenarios (WP4)
- The optimisation of impact of the acquired
knowledge will be ensured by a dedicated work
package on knowledge transfer and
dissemination (WP5)
Expected Impact
By providing a more accurate estimate of
background aerosol concentrations representative
of pre-industrial times, BACCHUS will provide an
improved quantification of the aerosol RF
(including ACI) since then. Such information is
necessary to assess the extent to which the
aerosol RF has offset the greenhouse gas RF until
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now and how it will evolve in future. Clear
information on the aerosol RF will help European
and international policymakers in formulating
cost-benefit policies aiming at both reducing air
pollutant emissions (resulting in an amelioration
of air quality) and mitigating climate change.
In addition, to avoid dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system, the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change has adopted to limit global warming below
2°C (2 degree target). Allowable emissions to stay
below the 2°C target depend heavily on Earth's
climate sensitivity as uncertainties in climate
sensitivity translate into uncertainties in the
emissions allowed to stay within a 2°C warming
target. One source of uncertainty is a poor
understanding of the aerosol RF. By advancing our
understanding of this forcing, BACCHUS enables
the development of more reliable estimates of the
allowable emissions for a given stabilization
target.
Degradation of air quality (and in particular
increasing aerosol and aerosol precursor
emissions) severely impacts human health, as well
as ecosystem services. BACCHUS will contribute
to a better understanding of the processes driving
the aerosol distribution by quantifying natural vs.
anthropogenic emissions. A better understanding
of biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate interactions
will allow to better inform the policy regulations
and thus to ensure a better protection of humans
and ecosystems' health.
BACCHUS will be particularly closely allied with
the current and on-going review of the European
Commission's Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution
and Air Quality regulation, which was formulated
in 2005 and is currently being reviewed and
updated - as part of a broader review of EU Air
policy - through stakeholder expert groups and
public consultation.
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