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Albedo changes caused by future urbanization contribute to global warming

Author

Listed:
  • Zutao Ouyang

    (Stanford University
    Michigan State University)

  • Pietro Sciusco

    (Michigan State University)

  • Tong Jiao

    (Clark University)

  • Sarah Feron

    (Stanford University
    University of Groningen
    University of Santiago)

  • Cheyenne Lei

    (Michigan State University)

  • Fei Li

    (Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Ranjeet John

    (University of South Dakota)

  • Peilei Fan

    (Michigan State University)

  • Xia Li

    (East China Normal University)

  • Christopher A. Williams

    (Clark University)

  • Guangzhao Chen

    (The University of Hong Kong
    The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Chenghao Wang

    (Stanford University)

  • Jiquan Chen

    (Michigan State University)

Abstract

The replacement of natural lands with urban structures has multiple environmental consequences, yet little is known about the magnitude and extent of albedo-induced warming contributions from urbanization at the global scale in the past and future. Here, we apply an empirical approach to quantify the climate effects of past urbanization and future urbanization projected under different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). We find an albedo-induced warming effect of urbanization for both the past and the projected futures under three illustrative scenarios. The albedo decease from urbanization in 2018 relative to 2001 has yielded a 100-year average annual global warming of 0.00014 [0.00008, 0.00021] °C. Without proper mitigation, future urbanization in 2050 relative to 2018 and that in 2100 relative to 2018 under the intermediate emission scenario (SSP2-4.5) would yield a 100-year average warming effect of 0.00107 [0.00057,0.00179] °C and 0.00152 [0.00078,0.00259] °C, respectively, through altering the Earth’s albedo.

Suggested Citation

  • Zutao Ouyang & Pietro Sciusco & Tong Jiao & Sarah Feron & Cheyenne Lei & Fei Li & Ranjeet John & Peilei Fan & Xia Li & Christopher A. Williams & Guangzhao Chen & Chenghao Wang & Jiquan Chen, 2022. "Albedo changes caused by future urbanization contribute to global warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31558-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31558-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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