Question

Soot absorbs sunlight, but CO2 does not, yet both warm the earth’s surface. Explain. In what other ways do their effects differ?

Answer 1

Explanation: Even though CO₂ doesn't absorb sunlight, it's the main cause for global warming. The soot/black carbon reduction can only help delay but can't prevent unprecedented climate changes due to CO₂ emissions.

The other ways, where they are different:

Short-lived climate forcers like methane, black carbon and ozone are fundamentally different from longer-lived greenhouse gases like CO₂, remaining in the atmosphere for only a relatively short time. Deep and immediate carbon dioxide reductions are required to protect the long-term climate, as this cannot be achieved by addressing short-lived climate forcers.