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Simulated climate effects of desert irrigation geoengineering
Wei Cheng1, John C Moore1, Long Cao2
1Joint Center for Global Change Studies, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Scientific Reports
|April 19, 2017
Summary
Desert irrigation can help combat global warming by increasing vegetation and carbon storage. This geoengineering approach cools land surfaces and boosts precipitation, but requires substantial water resources.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Earth System Science
- Geoengineering
Background:
- Global warming necessitates innovative climate change mitigation strategies.
- Geoengineering, specifically large-scale Earth energy balance manipulation, is proposed for desert regions.
- Previous research focused on desert albedo modification; this study explores afforestation and ecological expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate the geoengineering potential of irrigating deserts under the RCP8.5 scenario.
- To evaluate the impact of desert afforestation and ecological projects on climate.
- To compare the effectiveness of irrigation-based geoengineering with albedo modification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the BNU and UVic Earth system models for simulations.
- Assessed the effects of extending afforestation and ecological projects in desert regions.
- Analyzed changes in terrestrial carbon storage, land surface temperature, and precipitation.
Main Results:
- Desert irrigation led to vegetation growth, increasing terrestrial carbon storage by 90.3–143.9 Pg C.
- Global desert irrigation decreased land surface temperature by 0.48°C and increased land precipitation by 100 mm yr⁻¹.
- Significant localized cooling (up to 4.2°C) observed due to increased low cloud and latent heat, counteracting reduced surface albedo.
Conclusions:
- Desert irrigation presents a viable geoengineering strategy with significant climate benefits.
- Substantial water resources, equivalent to 10 mm/year of global sea level, are needed for irrigation.
- Tailored albedo-irrigation schemes are recommended due to varying desert climate responses.