Control of fossil‐fuel particulate black carbon and organic matter, possibly the most effective method of slowing global warming

Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, no control of black carbon (BC) was considered. Here, it is found, through simulations in which 12 identifiable effects of aerosol particles on climate are treated, that any emission reduction of fossil‐fuel (f.f.) particulate BC plus associated organic matter (OM) may slow global warming more than may any emission reduction of CO 2 or CH 4 for a specific period. When all f.f. BC + OM and anthropogenic CO 2 and CH 4 emissions are eliminated together, the period is 25–100 years. It is also estimated that historical net global warming can be attributed roughly to greenhouse gas plus f.f. BC + OM warming minus substantial cooling by other particles. Eliminating all f.f. BC + OM…