The $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions necessitate early and late time changes to $\Lambda$CDM

Abstract

An only early or only late time alteration to $\Lambda$CDM has been inadequate at resolving both the $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions simultaneously; however, a combination of early and late time alterations to $\Lambda$CDM can provide a solution to both tensions. As an illustration, we examine a combined Early Dark Energy - Decaying Dark Matter model. While early dark energy has the ability to resolve the $H_0$ tension, it leads to a discrepancy in $S_8$ measurements. We show that the addition of decaying dark matter helps resolve the $S_8$ discrepancy that would otherwise be enhanced in an early dark energy model, while the latter is able to relieve the $H_0$ disagreement to within the 95th percentile interval. Our results show a preference for the combined model over $\Lambda$CDM with $\Delta \rm{AIC} = -6.72$, hinting that both early and late universe modifications may be necessary to address the cosmological tensions.