"The Most Important Climate Treaty You’ve Never Heard Of"

"This unsung treaty limits pollutants that increase global warming or hurt human health. Its latest update—which adds black carbon—could be ratified this year."

"Raise a hand if you've heard of the Gothenburg Protocol.

No? Well, you're in good company. This treaty has been called an "unsung hero" in the fight against air pollution and climate change. It may be unknown in the United States, but it is a landmark international agreement, setting limits on how much black carbon and other pollutants countries can emit.

Black carbon, or soot, is seen as a unique danger to the climate because its ability to accelerate warming in the atmosphere is many times stronger than carbon dioxide. It also speeds up the melting of sea ice. This double-whammy is responsible for a half a degree Celsius of warming in the Arctic so far."

Sabrina Shankman reports for InsideClimate News April 11, 2018.