Archive | 2021

Solar geoengineering can alleviate climate change pressures on crop yields

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Abstract


Solar geoengineering (SG) and CO2 emissions reduction can each alleviate anthropogenic climate change, but their impacts on food security are not yet fully understood. Using an advanced crop model within an Earth system model, we analysed the yield responses of six major crops to three SG technologies (SGs) and emissions reduction when they provide roughly the same reduction in radiative forcing and assume the same land use. We found sharply distinct yield responses to changes in radiation, moisture and CO2, but comparable significant cooling benefits for crop yields by all four methods. Overall, global yields increase ~10% under the three SGs and decrease 5% under emissions reduction, the latter primarily due to reduced CO2 fertilization, relative to business as usual by the late twenty-first century. Relative humidity dominates the hydrological effect on yields of rainfed crops, with little contribution from precipitation. The net insolation effect is negligible across all SGs, contrary to previous findings. Rising temperatures are expected to have negative effects on agricultural production. Advanced crop and Earth system modelling indicate the degree to which technologies such as stratospheric aerosol injection, marine sky brightening and cirrus cloud thinning can help mitigate pressure on global crop yields.

Volume 2
Pages 373-381
DOI 10.1038/S43016-021-00278-W
Language English
Journal None

Full Text