Aerosol Black carbon is present in the atmosphere predominantly due to anthropogenic activity and is the second most important cause of atmospheric warming. Natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions, bush fires and desert dust also significantly contribute to the climate change in different ways.
The extent of the contributions and future scenarios are based on modelling which needs to be validated by measurements. Due to global transport of aerosols, the measurements of the remote areas of Asia are of
exceptional importance.
Pilot
Flying with an ultra-light aircraft in Asia is a real challenge. Large uninhabited and remote areas of Siberia, the interior of Mongolia, western China, Kazakhstan, demanding logistics, bad weather, turbulence, fuel delivery, demanding overflights and landings permissions, unpredictable costs ... There is no doubt a truer research adventure.
Scientist
Measurements over large unpopulated areas over Asia and Siberia in particular will help us understanding the background concentrations of Black Carbon and other carbonaceous pollutants and their contribution to climate change.
The planet Earth is getting warmer.
Black Carbon adds more than 1 W/m2 to the greenhouse effect.
Black Carbon is the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2.
7 million people worldwide die every year due to air pollution.
Sea level is rising fast.
Biomass burning, transport and industry emit large amounts of Black Carbon into air.
- Flying distance of over 240 000 km
- Over all oceans
- Over all continents
- Airborne 700+ hours
- Performed measurements in more than 100 countries
- Took more than 42 000 measurements
- Prepared more than 30 scientific presentations
- Published more than 25 scientific abstracts
- Over 1000 media releases and exhibitions
- General Eco partner
- Green partner
- Scientific partner
