Final answer:
Black carbon, such as soot or forest fire ash, contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere, thereby decreasing albedo and increasing the temperature. It is a component of the larger issue of greenhouse gases emitted from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Black carbon, like soot or forest fire ash, impacts climate change primarily by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This occurs because black carbon particles absorb sunlight, leading to a warming effect, unlike substances that reflect light, which have a cooling effect. The presence of black carbon reduces the albedo (reflectivity) of surfaces, allowing them to absorb more solar radiation. This in turn contributes to the warming of the tundra which releases methane trapped, and can result in a decrease in snow and ice cover which further exacerbates climate warmth due to the reduced reflection of sunlight.
The burning of fossil fuels is a major source of black carbon and other greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to climate change. Increases in these gases raise Earth's average temperature and cause a range of environmental impacts, including the acidification of oceans and reduced ice and snow cover.