Reading: Black Carbon in the Atmosphere

A reading that describes the effects of black carbon on the atmosphere and the climate system. This reading by Carl Zimmer for the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies details the albedo effect of black carbon, how it affects cloud formation, and its warming and cooling effects of the Earth’s surface.

Students will learn that black carbon is potentially second only to carbon dioxide in its heat trapping power. They will also learn about how it affects the Earth’s climate system. Students will further understand the complexities of black carbon emissions and why only certain emissions cause an increase in Earth’s temperature.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

1. What is black carbon? 
2. What are some of the effects of black carbon on clouds? 
3. Discuss how the deposition of black carbon on ice caps affects the melting of ice?
4. Explain how black carbon can have a cooling or warming effect on the planet?

About the tool

Tool Name	Black Carbon and Warming: It’s Worse than We Thought
Discipline	Chemistry
Topic(s) in Discipline	Carbon Chemistry, Allotropy, Allotropes of carbon, Black Carbon, Greenhouse Gas
Climate Topic	Climate and the Atmosphere; Greenhouse Effect
Type of tool	Reading
Grade Level	High School, Undergraduate
Location	Global
Language	English
Translation
Developed by	Carl Zimmer, The New York Times
Hosted at	Yale Environment 360 (E360), Yale School of  Environment, Website
Link	https://e360.yale.edu/features/carl_zimmer_black_carbon_and_global_warming_worse_than_thought
Access	Online
Computer Skills	Basic