 |
|
All the carbon counts
May 29, 2009Including land-based carbon in greenhouse gas control strategies lowers costs and preserves forests
College Park, Md. -- Cutting down forests for agriculture vents excess carbon dioxide into the air just as industrial activities and the burning of fossil fuels do. But whether policies to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere should include this terrestrial source of carbon dioxide is under debate. According to a new study this week in Science, failing to include land use changes in such policies could lead to massive deforestation and higher costs for limiting carbon emissions.
The results also suggest improved agricultural technology will be as important as new energy technologies in a carbon-limited future.
To understand the effects of economic forces from climate policy on terrestrial carbon and land use changes, researchers with the Joint Global Change Research Institute in College Park, Md., a collaboration between the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Maryland, used an integrated assessment model called MiniCAM to compare different scenarios. This computer model incorporates economics, energy, agriculture, land-use changes, emissions and concentrations of greenhouse gases in order to understand the way that human decisions interact with natural processes that control climate.
For this study, the researchers set the highest concentration that carbon dioxide could reach. Then they compared two ways to stay within that limit: in one, they taxed terrestrial carbon emissions and industrial and fossil fuel emissions all at the same rate. In the other, they only taxed emissions from industry and fossil fuels.
Ignoring terrestrial carbon led to nearly complete loss of unmanaged forests by 2100, largely as a result of massive expansions of bioenergy crops -- those planted to reduce the use of fossil fuels -- replacing forests. However, placing a value on terrestrial carbon emissions led to increased forest cover, while bioenergy still expanded considerably compared to today.
"When society tries to limit carbon dioxide concentrations, if terrestrial carbon emissions aren't valued but fossil fuel and industrial emissions are, economic forces could create very strong pressures to deforest," said PNNL scientist Marshall Wise, the study leader.
In addition, the cost to reduce global emissions in a world that valued terrestrial, fossil fuel, and industrial sources dropped to half that of the world in which only fossil fuel and industrial entities paid to emit carbon. This suggests that storing carbon in forests, agricultural areas, and other ecosystems is an important and cost-effective part of a bigger carbon dioxide emissions control strategy that includes dramatic changes to the global energy system.
This study also shows that continual improvement in agricultural crop productivity for crops like corn, wheat, barley, and rice will be required to best make use of limited cropland. This suggests improvements to agriculture technology could be as important as improvements to energy technology in controlling carbon emissions.
"If society wants to stabilize carbon dioxide concentrations at low levels, then we can't ignore the two thousand billion tons that are out there in terrestrial systems," said PNNL economist James Edmonds at the JGCRI.
DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
To understand the effects of economic forces from climate policy on terrestrial carbon and land use changes, researchers with the Joint Global Change Research Institute in College Park, Md., a collaboration between the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Maryland, used an integrated assessment model called MiniCAM to compare different scenarios. This computer model incorporates economics, energy, agriculture, land-use changes, emissions and concentrations of greenhouse gases in order to understand the way that human decisions interact with natural processes that control climate.
For this study, the researchers set the highest concentration that carbon dioxide could reach. Then they compared two ways to stay within that limit: in one, they taxed terrestrial carbon emissions and industrial and fossil fuel emissions all at the same rate. In the other, they only taxed emissions from industry and fossil fuels.
Ignoring terrestrial carbon led to nearly complete loss of unmanaged forests by 2100, largely as a result of massive expansions of bioenergy crops -- those planted to reduce the use of fossil fuels -- replacing forests. However, placing a value on terrestrial carbon emissions led to increased forest cover, while bioenergy still expanded considerably compared to today.
"When society tries to limit carbon dioxide concentrations, if terrestrial carbon emissions aren't valued but fossil fuel and industrial emissions are, economic forces could create very strong pressures to deforest," said PNNL scientist Marshall Wise, the study leader.
In addition, the cost to reduce global emissions in a world that valued terrestrial, fossil fuel, and industrial sources dropped to half that of the world in which only fossil fuel and industrial entities paid to emit carbon. This suggests that storing carbon in forests, agricultural areas, and other ecosystems is an important and cost-effective part of a bigger carbon dioxide emissions control strategy that includes dramatic changes to the global energy system.
This study also shows that continual improvement in agricultural crop productivity for crops like corn, wheat, barley, and rice will be required to best make use of limited cropland. This suggests improvements to agriculture technology could be as important as improvements to energy technology in controlling carbon emissions.
"If society wants to stabilize carbon dioxide concentrations at low levels, then we can't ignore the two thousand billion tons that are out there in terrestrial systems," said PNNL economist James Edmonds at the JGCRI.
DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Carbon Emissions Current Events and Carbon Emissions News RSSResearchers Hail Innovative Plan to Save Rainforest, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An innovative proposal by the Ecuadorian government to protect an untouched, oil rich region of Amazon rainforest is a precedent-setting and potentially economically viable approach, says a team of environmental researchers from the University of Maryland, the World Resources Institute and Save America's Forests.
Simple measures can yield big greenhouse gas cuts, scientists say
New technologies and policies that save energy, remove atmospheric carbon and limit greenhouse gas emissions are needed to fight global climate change - but face daunting technological, economic and political hurdles, a Michigan State University scientist said.
Growth versus global warming
Houses on stilts, small scale energy generation and recycling our dishwater are just some of the measures that are being proposed to prepare our cities for the effects of global warming.
Concentrating emissions
Researchers at MIT have shown the benefits of a new approach toward eliminating carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions at coal-burning power plants.
Smaller isn't always better: Catalyst simulations could lower fuel cell cost
Imagine a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions. While vehicles like this won't be on the market anytime soon, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are making incremental but important strides in the fuel cell technology that could make clean cars a reality.
Scientists say climate change mitigation strategies ignore carbon cycling processes of inland waters
In the paper, The Boundless Carbon Cycle, published in the September issue of Nature Geoscience, scientists from the University of Vienna, Uppsala University in Sweden, University of Antwerp, and the U.S. based Stroud™ Water Research Center argue that current international strategies to mitigate manmade carbon emissions and address climate change have overlooked a critical player - inland waters.
Agricultural methods of early civilizations may have altered global climate, study suggests
Massive burning of forests for agriculture thousands of years ago may have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide enough to alter global climate and usher in a warming trend that continues today, according to a new study that appears online Aug. 17 in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.
Hybrid vehicle rebates produce scant environmental benefits, high cost
Despite major costs to taxpayers in the U.S. and Canada, government programs that offer rebates to hybrid vehicle buyers are failing to produce environmental benefits, a new UBC study says.
Family planning a major environmental impact
Some people who are serious about wanting to reduce their "carbon footprint" on the Earth have one choice available to them that may yield a large long-term benefit - have one less child.
Humans
Mounting evidence that human activity is changing the world's oceans in profound and damaging ways is outlined in a new scientific discussion paper released today.
More Carbon Emissions Current Events and Carbon Emissions News Articles
 |
Pricing Carbon: The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme by A. Denny Ellerman (Author), Frank J. Convery (Author), Christian de Perthuis (Author), Emilie Alberola (Contributor), Richard Baron (Contributor), Barbara K. Buchner (Contributor), Anaïs Delbosc (Contributor), Cate Hight (Contributor), Jan Keppler (Contributor), Felix Chr. Matthes (Contributor) The European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is the world's largest market for carbon and the most significant multinational initiative ever taken to mobilize markets to protect the environment. It will be an important influence on the development and implementation of trading schemes in the US, Japan, and elsewhere. However, as is true of any pioneering public policy experiment, this scheme has generated much controversy. Pricing Carbon provides the first detailed description and analysis of the EU ETS, focusing on the first 'trial' period of the scheme (2005-7). Written by an international team of experts, it allows readers to get behind the headlines and come to a better understanding of what was done and what happened based on a dispassionate, empirically based review of the... |
 |
The New Business Climate: A Guide to Lower Carbon Emissions and Better Business Performance by Rocky Mountain Institute Using The New Business Climate as a guide, businesses can gain competitive advantage, manage risks, and increase profitability by choosing a proactive carbon emissions reduction strategy. |
 |
60 Minutes - Powered by Coal (April 26, 2009) Airdate 4/26/09 Coal is America's cheapest and most abundant fossil fuel, and it generates nearly half the electricity on earth. But coal is also one of the most polluting sources of energy, and its carbon dioxide emissions are contributing to global warming. Is clean coal possible? If so, can coal emission be eliminated before it's too late to undo the damage to the planet? Scott Pelley reports. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 |
Wix 51551 Spin-On Hydraulic Filter, Pack of 1 by Wix Wix Spin-On Hydraulic Filters are designed to remove particle contaminants from the hydraulic fluid. They are made of pleated paper which filters the contaminants down to microscopic size and provide a linear path for low flow restriction. These filters reduce corrosion and abrasion of hydraulic components and are highly durable and reliable. |
 |
50W Light Bulb Replacement - Warm White 7W 110VAC-120VAC Color: Natural White by EagleLight Comparable to a 50 watt light bulb The LED light bulb replaces traditional incandescent bulbs with a standard screw in base. The color is a very nice interior warm white, but not too warm. The design is one of the most solid constrictions for a globe lamp. The light is directed more up and around the bulb then down, ideal for porch lights or locations where the fixture is pointed in the direction where you want the light. This is a 5 element cree bulb each 1 watt each. This light will last for 20,000 hours or about 10 years! In addition it will decrease your energy cost by as much as 90%. * Voltage: 110-120VAC * Color: White * Color Temp: 6000K * Beam Angle: wide 165 degrees * Avg. Life: 20,000 hours * CRI: ~85% *... |
 |
Super Bright LED Flashlight by Eagle Light This flash light is really amazing. It is very compact and super bright. It comes with a zoom function that will display a beam of light for more than a 1/4 mile!! This is the brightest flashlight, for it's size, that we have found. |
 |
An Earth Story Starring: Ross Gelbspan, John Hutchison, John Searl Directed By: Al May Also With: Al May (Producer), Al May (Writer) |
 |
Climate Change and Carbon Markets: A Handbook of Emissions Reduction Mechanisms by Farhana Yamin (Editor) * Thorough, authoritative explanation of the instruments involved in the carbon trading market being launched through the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Kyoto Protocol and other mechanisms * The market for carbon and greenhouse gas permits will be huge --potentially as large as the fossil fuel, (oil, gas and coal] markets it aims to counteract * Essential practical guide and reference for those involved in the market and its development, from industry and finance to policy-makers On January 1, 2005, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme [ETS] comes into force. In its first phase, in the EU alone, c.10,000 industrial companies will have to trade emissions allowances to manage their energy consumption and carbon outputs. From 2008 on, other economic sectors such as... |
 |
Conquering Carbon: Carbon Emissions, Carbon Markets and the Consumer by Felicia Jackson (Author) This is a book to help consumers understand the consequences of carbon emissions and why we cannot afford to ignore them. 2009 will be a pivotal year in terms of carbon markets. A successor to the Kyoto Protocol is to be agreed by the end of the year and it essential that individuals start to understand and take responsibility for their carbon footprints. Carbon markets are the key to the largest economic change since the Second World War. We need to alter our relationship with carbon by learning how best to manage and prevent the loss of our resources in order to increase our sustainability. "Conquering Carbon" provides a clear overview of the role of carbon and the direct effects of our relationship with it. By providing a historical overview of global warming and key issues, examining... |
 |
Wix 51610 Spin-On Hydraulic Filter, Pack of 1 by Wix Wix Spin-On Hydraulic Filters are designed to remove particle contaminants from the hydraulic fluid. They are made of pleated paper which filters the contaminants down to microscopic size and provide a linear path for low flow restriction. These filters reduce corrosion and abrasion of hydraulic components and are highly durable and reliable. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |