Global Aerosol Climatology Project (GACP)Atmospheric aerosols, or fine particles, are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in the interpretation and prediction of global climate change. Natural variations of aerosols, especially due to episodic eruptions of large volcanos, are recognized as a significant climate forcing, that is, a factor that alters the planetary radiation balance and thus may cause a global temperature change. In addition, aerosols from soil dust, biomass burning, and fossil fuel use are altering the amount and geographic distribution of atmospheric aerosols, and thus possibly affecting climate. The Global Aerosol Climatology Project (GACP) is concerned with the climate forcing due to changing aerosols, including both the direct radiative forcing by the aerosols and the indirect radiative forcing caused by effects of changing aerosols on cloud properties. For More Information
Points of ContactDonald Anderson (Program Manager) Joyce E. Penner (Science Team Leader) Michael Mishchenko (Project Manager) |
