From: Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development
Published March 16, 2010 04:42 PM
Scientists to U.S. Congressional Committee: Time for Serious Action on Black Carbon Aggressive mitigation of second largest contributor to climate change can provide significant environmental and health benefits
Black carbon soot, produced from incomplete combustion of diesel fuel and biomass, is one of the largest contributors to climate change apart from CO2, as well as a danger to public health, and should be a prime target of policymakers according to scientists and experts testifying at today's hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming chaired by Congressman Edward Markey.
"Black carbon packs a powerful punch when it comes to climate change, absorbing solar radiation while in the atmosphere and also darkening the surfaces of snow and ice, contributing to increased melting in vulnerable regions such as the Arctic and Himalayas," said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD). "The good news is that it only stays in the atmosphere for up to a few weeks, making it an ideal target for achieving fast cooling through aggressive mitigation measures."