Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
The Congo peatlands, the world's largest tropical peatland complex, are fragile and vulnerable to drought. If modern-day global heating produces droughts in the region, they could release up to 30 billion tonnes of carbon, accelerating climate change.
Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) demonstrate a feasible waste plastic pyrolysis model, increasing profitability and reducing CO2 emissions compared to centralized processes. The study also found significant decreases in transportation costs and related emissions.
Researchers at KAUST developed an inverse mixture-design approach using machine learning to create high-performance transport fuels. The model accurately predicted fuel properties and identified suitable blends, offering a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A study by researchers at ICES, Lawson Health Research Institute, and Western University found that virtual care during the pandemic led to significant environmental and patient cost savings. Virtual visits represented approximately 0.2% of total annual carbon dioxide emissions in Ontario and estimated $63 million in patient cost savings.
The study forecasts cumulative emissions from the 'country of permafrost' through 2100 under low, medium, and high warming scenarios. Under a low warming scenario, permafrost would release 55 petagrams of carbon by the end of the century, while potentially releasing 232 Pg if left unchecked.
Researchers predict that reduced Ukrainian grain exports due to the war will lead to increased food insecurity and higher carbon dioxide emissions. The study estimates a potential increase in global agricultural land use of 16.3-45 million acres, driving up carbon emissions by 527-1.6 billion metric tons.
A two-year research project aims to overcome technical difficulties in large-scale algae cultivation, a promising method for climate change mitigation. The ROBA project focuses on developing economically feasible algal cultivation processes using advanced measurement technologies and bioprocess engineering.
Mathematicians at Aston University are developing computational modelling techniques to examine biological drag reduction methods, such as fish slime secreted by predator-avoiding fish. This project aims to reduce skin-friction drag and increase the performance range of electric vehicles, contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
A new system developed at the University of Waterloo can affordably convert CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals. The technology yields 10 times more carbon monoxide than existing methods, making it economically viable for industrial-scale use.
The study found that kitchens with more people present during cooking sessions exhibited higher carbon dioxide levels. Kitchens with both doors and windows open during cooking showed optimal thermal comfort conditions, reducing CO2 levels by 14%. Cleaner fuels and electric appliances can reduce CO2 levels within a kitchen by over 32%.
The researchers used a new technique to capture the first cross-sectional images of carbon dioxide in the exhaust plume of a commercial jet engine. The images show a ring-structure of high carbon dioxide concentration and a raised region in the middle of the plume.
The article analyzes Bitcoin mining's environmental costs and finds them to be more comparable to beef production than gold or natural gas. Climate damages from Bitcoin mining have increased 126-fold since 2016, with estimated damages of over $12 billion annually.
A Danish study reveals that nearly half of the population is unaware of woody biomass as an energy source, highlighting a need for public engagement on its sustainability. The study also shows strong public concerns over biodiversity and climate change, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to minimize environmental costs.
A team of researchers developed a system that uses carbon dioxide to produce biodegradable plastics, which could replace traditional nondegradable plastics. The new platform has great potential to address sustainability challenges and transform the future design of carbon dioxide reduction.
New research shows that elevated carbon dioxide levels in forests in the US have increased wood volume by up to 20%, making trees more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is called carbon fertilization and can help mitigate climate change, potentially reducing costs associated with mitigation efforts.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels stimulate tree growth, resulting in longer and more extensive root systems. This adaptation helps trees absorb nutrients from the soil, providing limited protection against climate change. The study provides insights into how forests respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.
A study by the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories reveals that synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers estimate that the supply chain for these fertilisers is responsible for emitting the equivalent of 1.13 gigatonnes of CO₂ in 2018.
The six interdisciplinary studies will explore effective ways to expand UK trees, hedgerows, woodlands, and forests in rural and urban settings. Researchers aim to improve understanding of treescapes' value to people and the planet, supporting the Government's ambition to increase tree cover.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $30 million grant to empower grassland farmers in climate-smart agriculture. The project aims to enhance operation resilience and optimize profitability while improving soil health and biodiversity.
A new study by Cornell University researchers suggests that green policy incentives for carbon capture and renewable energy can help reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. States with lower electricity prices and a higher share of renewable energy in their grids are best suited for this approach.
Researchers from Hiroshima University developed a comprehensive framework to improve carbon-cutting policies in China. The model takes into account various factors, including behavior, land use planning and energy consumption, to provide a fuller picture for policymakers.
A new study found that perennial crops like thyme can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase soil organic carbon in Mediterranean almond orchards. The introduction of thyme among almond trees led to a greater increase in total soil organic carbon, while also improving economic productivity.
The University of Missouri has received a $25 million grant from the USDA to help farmers adapt to climate change through climate-smart practices. The five-year project aims to improve crop and livestock resilience on up to 500,000 acres of Missouri farmland.
A new study from Indiana University warns that the US is unlikely to reach its national goal of 50% plug-in electric vehicle penetration by 2030 unless electric vehicles become more affordable. The study suggests that lower prices and better policy are needed to stimulate consumer demand for affordable electric vehicles.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
The study quantifies the impact of human activity on the Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity, highlighting that forest degradation leads to significant losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts are crucial to reverse these effects and protect the biome's carbon stocks.
A new study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found a strong temporal connection between flood basalt eruptions and significant climatic events.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago developed a method to convert 100% of captured carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing hydrocarbons with high purity. The process uses electrolysis and can recycle almost all carbon dioxide captured, making it carbon negative when powered by renewable energy.
Researchers found tropical soil microbes decline in diversity and increase CO2 emissions with simulated global warming. The findings threaten rainforest ecosystems and carbon storage, emphasizing the urgency for conservation.
A cap-and-invest strategy to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions could provide substantial health benefits to children in New York City. The study found that prioritizing public transit investments resulted in the most effective strategy, offering 45% more benefits than vehicle electrification.
A new study finds that the social cost of carbon is more than triple the current federal estimate, with each additional ton of carbon dioxide costing society $185. The study's updated methodology and key scientific advancements led to the higher estimate, which could inform stronger climate policies.
A new study from the University of California San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy finds that countries with bold pledges are more likely to achieve their goals. Europe takes the lead, while the US is not expected to meet its commitments. The study suggests that better systems for checking on country compliance are needed.
A new study suggests that prediction markets could improve climate risk forecasts by incentivizing experts to share information. The markets would offer a level playing field for diverse expertise and provide a structured way to distribute research funding, promoting effective altruism.
New polymer-based membranes developed at KAUST enable greener separation of simple to complex hydrocarbon mixtures, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in crude oil refineries. The membranes' stability and selectivity can be tuned by thermal crosslinking, allowing for higher purity components and removal of byproducts.
A new study reveals that Arctic lakes have shrunk or dried completely over the past 20 years, threatening local Indigenous communities and industries. The research found that permafrost thaw is accelerating lake drainage, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
A Chinese research group found that China's natural climate solutions (NCS) can counterbalance 11-12% of industrial CO2 emissions by 2030. The study quantified NCS pathways, including conservation, restoration, and improved forest management, and estimated their contribution to climate change mitigation.
A new study finds that adapting to climate change will require more energy than previously estimated, leading to higher energy investments and costs. Ambitious mitigation policies can cut the increase in energy system costs induced by adaptation, resulting in net gains.
A new study predicts that record-breaking heat waves will become more frequent in places like North America and Europe by 2100. The research suggests that even if countries meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 2°C, dangerous heat stress could double by 2100 in the tropics.
Thirty-eight Chinese cities have reduced their CO2 emissions for at least five years, while 21 cities have cut emissions due to economic decline or population loss. The study recommends individualized emission targets considering cities' resources and development goals.
Scientists studied lightning's impact on Panama Canal forests, finding that some tree species, like palms, are more likely to die after a strike. Others, with denser wood and larger water vessels, are more resistant and may even store more carbon.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
A new study suggests that using propane as a refrigerant in air conditioners could significantly reduce the global temperature increase from space cooling, with a potential decrease of up to 0.09°C by the end of the century. This is due to propane's low global warming potential score of less than 1.
New research reveals that fossil fuel companies' decarbonisation scenarios are incompatible with Paris Agreement goals, with most projecting high levels of warming and exceeding the 1.5°C limit. The study provides a critical assessment of scenarios published by public, commercial, and academic institutions.
Researchers studied the impact of withholding nitrous oxide on labor pain and found no adverse outcomes for mothers or children. Opioid use increased significantly but no change in other measures such as epidural use or Caesarean section rates were observed.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed an AI framework to predict oxidation behavior of high entropy alloys, reducing experimental analysis time from years to minutes. This allows for the discovery of materials suitable for extreme environments, such as gas turbines and heat exchangers.
A new USDA Forest Service study projects that residential structures will continue to increase carbon storage through 2070 and beyond. The research examines how population growth and income can be combined to project rates of new housing construction and its impact on carbon storage in wood products.
Global health researchers argue that poor and vulnerable populations are already bearing the brunt of climate change and will be disproportionately affected by net zero healthcare targets. The NHS in England faces significant challenges in meeting its ambitious emissions reduction goals without exacerbating existing health inequalities.
Researchers found that California's forest carbon buffer pool has depleted at least 95% of its contributions within the first 10 years due to wildfires and disease. The program's self-insurance mechanism is unable to guarantee that credited forest carbon remains out of the atmosphere for at least 100 years.
New research suggests that plant-based beef alternatives could reduce US carbon footprint by 2.5-13.5%, mostly by decreasing cow numbers. However, this shift could disrupt the agricultural workforce, threatening up to 1.5 million industry jobs and exacerbating issues like fair wages and health equity.
Argonne researchers develop a new way to calculate the environmental impact of ammonia production, evaluating two promising methods: carbon capture and water electrolysis. The study aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use in fertilizer production.
Researchers at Radboud University found that using Phoslock can reduce methane emissions by up to 74% and dredging by approximately 52%. These methods target eutrophication, a key driver of methane production in lakes.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a novel additive that significantly strengthens cement paste, increasing its strength by up to 40% while delaying set time. This innovation could lead to reduced seafood waste and lower carbon emissions from concrete production.
Research from Aarhus University shows that EU's high gas prices are driving the green transition and making it easier to meet 1.5-degree climate target. The study suggests that cutting off Russian gas would force European countries to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
A new study by University of Bath psychologists found plant-based meat alternatives cause lower greenhouse gas emissions, require less agricultural land, and have better nutritional profiles compared to animal products. These findings support the use of plant-based products as a healthier and more sustainable solution for consumers.
A new study challenges the notion that restoring coastal vegetation like mangroves and seagrass can significantly remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The review highlights seven reasons why blue carbon accounting is uncertain, including high variability in carbon burial rates and vulnerability to climate change.
Researchers are investigating new methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing, aiming to create a carbon-negative replacement for portland cement. A sustainable way to produce calcium hydroxide is also being developed, which could significantly lower the carbon footprint of the existing cement industry.
Researchers found no significant change in Tokyo's consumption-based CO2 emissions, but increased emissions from imported thermal power. Local governments' reported emission data are underestimated due to this shift.
A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.