Strong control of effective radiative forcing by the spatial pattern of absorbing aerosol

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 21 July 2022; doi:10.1038/s41558-022-01415-4

Changes in the spatial pattern of aerosol could influence climate through effects on radiative forcing. Model experiments show that while aerosol absorption in the midlatitudes and regions of tropical descent can warm the planet, aerosol absorption in regions of tropical ascent can cool the planet.