Black carbon report from IGBP project generates significant media coverage

A report issued by a project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), providing new evidence that black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming, has triggered tremendous coverage in the media. Outlets such as the BBC, the Economist, the New York Times and the Washington Post picked up the story and reported that black carbon’s influence on climate has been greatly underestimated.

Black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming and its influence on climate has been greatly underestimated, aAdd Imageccording to the first quantitative and comprehensive analysis of this issue.

The landmark study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres today says the direct influence of black carbon, or soot, on warming the climate could be about twice previous estimates.  Accounting for all of the ways it can affect climate, black carbon is believed to have a warming effect of about 1.1 Watts per square meter (W/m²), approximately two thirds of the effect of the largest man made contributor to global warming, carbon dioxide.

Head to the IGBP website for all details on their findings, or look at the following news reports in mainstream media:
Climate change: Soot’s role underestimated, says study
BBC News, January 15, 2013‎

Black Carbon Twice as Dangerous as 2007 Estimate, Scientists Say
Bloomberg. January 15, 2013

The New Black
The Economist, January 19, 2013

Black carbon is worse for global warming than previously thought
The Guardian, January 17, 2013

Black carbon a powerful climate pollutant: international study
Reuters, January 15, 2013

Burning Fuel Particles Do More Damage to Climate Than Thought, Study Says
The New York Times, January 15, 2013

Black carbon ranks as second-biggest human cause of global warming
Washington Post, January 15, 2013‎

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