Back carbon refers to solid particles emitted during incomplete combustion. Diesel engines are an important source, though not the major one. Black carbon contributes to climate change in two ways: in the atmosphere it absorbs sunlight and re-emits the energy as heat; and when deposited on ice or snow, in addition to warming the surface and air directly, it reduces the surface albedo (reflectivity) causing the surface to absorb more sunlight. As a contributor to climate change it is possibly second only to CO2, and because it is short-lived (remaining in the atmosphere only a few weeks) reducing BC emissions could have a very rapid and significant effect on the rate of warming. Black carbon is also a serious public health concern. Exposure to particulate matter is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths globally each year.
Presentation to the International Maritime Organization on the definition and measurement of marine black carbon emissions, 30 January 2012.
Policy-relevant guidance on black carbon, a solid particle emitted during incomplete combustion and a significant contributor to both climate change public health problems.
2009 workshop on sources/impacts of black carbon emissions, and control strategies.
Distinguished atmospheric scientists and policy makers shared the latest scientific understanding of black carbon climate forcing and policy strategies for mitigation in the transportation sector at this London workshop.
