Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
A review of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies found that many methods are incompatible with the Paris Agreement's emission reduction targets. The study suggests focusing on non-fossil carbon dioxide storage technologies to achieve long-term emissions goals.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that London is releasing more methane than previously thought, primarily due to natural gas infrastructure leaks. The findings suggest that upgrading leaky pipes could significantly reduce emissions. This research highlights the importance of atmospheric measurements in tracking progress t...
A new study analyzed the clean energy discourse of four large oil and gas companies, finding that their business actions and investments do not align with their climate change pledges. Despite increased use of keywords like 'climate' and 'transition', the companies have made limited progress towards decarbonization.
Researchers found that forests' outermost edges can store more carbon than previously assumed. Trees on these edges grow faster due to reduced competition, taking in nearly twice as much CO2 as interior trees. Soils at forest edges also absorb more CO2, contradicting current ideas about conservation and urban forest value.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a way to convert carbon dioxide into fuel using solar energy, creating a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses advanced materials and ultra-fast laser spectroscopy, allowing for the conversion of CO2 to carbon monoxide.
Research found that anaerobic microbial transformation on Tonle Sap Lake's floodplains produces substantial amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide, highlighting the importance of this process in tropical freshwater ecosystems. This discovery has significant implications for understanding global carbon cycles and the impact of climate change.
Scientists at the University of Hamburg have calculated for the first time the future balance of Arctic coastal erosion, which increases by up to three meters per year with each degree of temperature increase. A shift towards greater sustainability could slow this process, but it's unlikely to stop land loss entirely.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that the environmental impacts of corn ethanol far outweigh its benefits, with carbon emissions potentially negating any climate advantages. The research highlights the need to shift towards next-generation biofuels and improve efficiency, electrification, and policy-making.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that corn ethanol's environmental impacts are worse than expected, with carbon emissions potentially negating any climate advantages. The analysis suggests a shift towards next-generation biofuels made from perennial plants could be necessary.
According to a new study, lifting over 1 billion people out of poverty worldwide would increase global carbon emissions by 1.6-2.1%. The main reason for this is the huge inequality in carbon footprint between rich and poor nations. Rich countries emit significantly more carbon than poor ones.
A new study suggests that China's pursuit of carbon neutrality could lead to significant water savings, with 24% of industrial water use expected to be saved by 2060. However, some provinces may struggle to meet their water-use targets, and coordinated climate-water strategies are needed to address these challenges.
A team from UNIGE and Empa recommends a domestic generation mix of wind and photovoltaic energy to reduce Switzerland's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The scenario would enable the country to reduce its footprint by an estimated 45%.
Researchers found that switching to virtual conferencing can significantly cut carbon emissions, doubling attendance from low-middle income countries, while eliminating travel-related emissions. However, the study highlights limitations, including reduced feedback survey responses and potential equity issues.
A new study warns that co-occurring droughts could place an unprecedented strain on the global agricultural system, threatening water security and exacerbating food insecurity. The researchers' analysis shows a ninefold increase in agricultural and human population exposure to severe co-occurring droughts by the late-21st century.
Researchers at UTS have designed a molecule to tackle issues with lithium-oxygen batteries, increasing discharge capacity and efficiency. The breakthrough paves the way for long-life, energy-dense batteries capable of matching petrol-fuelled cars' driving ranges.
Researchers found that peatland fires contributed to between 40% and 60% of the GHG emission impact, highlighting the need for better forest and peatland protection policies. The study's findings indicate a two- to threefold underestimation of the true impact of deforestation fires.
A new study suggests that widespread use of genetically modified crops in the EU could prevent the release of 33 million tons of CO2 equivalents, equivalent to 7.5% of annual greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. This is mainly due to reduced land-use change and preservation of the Amazon rainforest.
Researchers say a new framework can help trigger positive tipping points to tackle the climate crisis, including the growth of plant-based diets and regenerative farming methods. The Breakthrough Agenda at COP26 signals a shift in thinking, aiming to tip economic sectors into a green state.
A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals Arctic warming causes temperature anomalies and cold damage thousands of kilometers away in East Asia, leading to reduced vegetation growth and smaller harvests. The warmer Arctic winters also trigger extreme winter weather events in the region.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a new catalyst that can convert carbon dioxide into gasoline up to 1,000 times more efficiently than existing standards. The breakthrough allows for the production of long-chain hydrocarbons, making it easier to handle and store, with potential applications in a carbon-neutral cycle.
A study found that switching from a metered dose inhaler to a dry powder version for maintenance therapy reduces the carbon footprint of people with asthma by more than half. The researchers conclude that this substitution is an acceptable and worthwhile option for most patients who can safely manage their condition at home.
Researchers at UNH found that reducing carbon dioxide emissions can preserve almost three weeks of snow cover and below freezing temperatures. This preservation is critical for woodland animals, preventing the spread of invasive pests, and maintaining ski resorts' ability to make snow.
A new study found that Hong Kong's remote sensing enforcement program significantly reduced harmful chemicals at the roadside and in the atmosphere. The program led to a 22-39% reduction in total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide emissions from high-emitting vehicles.
A new study by University of Bath researchers suggests that installing solar panels on historic buildings like Bath Abbey could significantly reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The proposed system would generate around 45 Mega-Watt hours per year, saving approximately 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Achieving China's carbon neutral goal requires a rapid transition to renewable energy, nuclear generation, and a decrease in fossil fuel use. Implementing non-fossil fuel energy sources is crucial, with solar energy playing a critical role due to its decreasing costs and technology advancements.
A new report warns that current pathways to net zero climate targets in the UK are flawed and may lead to losses in biodiversity, human wellbeing, and cultural knowledge. The study recommends a more inclusive approach to landscape management, involving experts from diverse fields, to achieve sustainable futures.
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
Mariculture has the potential to deliver high-protein foodstuffs with a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to terrestrial products. The authors suggest various ways to improve mariculture's sustainability, including supply chain improvements and cofarming practices that can lead to net reductions in CO2 emissions.
A new online tool tracks e-bike purchase incentive programs in the US and Canada, providing a point of reference for future policy development. The tracker reveals that most programs set incentive levels fairly arbitrarily, with little thought given to their potential impact on specific groups or income brackets.
A deforestation emissions reduction scheme in Indonesia prevented over 70 million tons of carbon emissions, but this is a tiny contribution to the country's overall commitment under the Paris Agreement. The study found that dryland forests inside the moratorium area had higher forest cover compared to similar areas outside.
Research reveals that magmas from Mount Etna and Mount Vulture have extremely high Nb/Ta ratios, indicating a deep carbon-rich lithospheric mantle beneath southern Italy. This process contributes significantly to global volcanic CO2 emissions.
The COVID-19 pandemic had both positive and negative impacts on environmental pollution and carbon emissions. The study found that water quality improved globally due to reduced commercial activities, while air pollutants like NO2 and CO decreased in most regions. However, sulphur dioxide and ozone levels increased, and soil contaminat...
Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a smart and super-efficient way of capturing carbon dioxide and converting it to solid carbon, which can be integrated into existing industrial processes. The technology offers a pathway for instantly converting CO2 as it is produced, locking it permanently in a solid state.
A new analysis by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Akshaya Jha finds that risk aversion drives the purchasing of coal primarily from long-term contracts, resulting in premium prices. The study estimates that if power plants purchased all their coal from the spot market, annual aggregate cost savings would be $2.9 billion on average.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new water-splitting process and material that maximize the efficiency of producing carbon-free green hydrogen. The hybrid catalysts show superior performance for both oxygen and hydrogen splitting, making it an affordable and accessible option for industrial partners.
A Kyoto University-led team has created a novel hydrogen plant design that harnesses fully renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen with minimal associated CO2 emissions. The SABI-Hydrogen system uses solar heating and biomass gasification to produce hydrogen, resulting in an emission rate of only 1.04kg CO2/kg hydrogen produced.
A study found that increasing CO2 levels boost carbon storage in peatlands by reducing photorespiration. However, this effect depends on the intermediate water table level, not when conditions are too wet or dry.
A study by Tulane University found that swapping just one serving of beef per day for a more planet-friendly alternative can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 48% and water-use impacts by 30%. This simple change could collectively make a substantial difference in reducing the carbon footprint of US diets.
The study found that most USSE facilities were installed on grasslands, pastures, and agricultural lands, potentially impeding Florida panther dispersal. Restoration of dispersal corridors and gene flow is critical to the species' survival, benefiting biodiversity and resiliency at the landscape-scale.
A new catalytic approach directly converts solid biomass into natural gas with a low carbon footprint, achieving nearly complete conversion of various agricultural and forestry materials. This process reduces fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 26% and 34%, respectively.
The upper ocean has reached record-breaking temperatures for the sixth consecutive year, with the latest data showing a significant increase in heat content. This warming trend is primarily driven by human-induced climate change, which affects ocean acidification and marine life.
A team of researchers at MIT has identified and modeled a major reason for poor performance in electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion systems, which is caused by a local depletion of CO2 gas near the electrodes. By pulsing the current off and on, they can replenish the gas levels, allowing the process to continue efficiently.
Researchers from Korea Maritime & Ocean University found that using LPG as a marine fuel can reduce annual fuel consumption by 7.5-10.4%, fuel cost by 8.8-25.9%, and carbon dioxide emissions by 10-14%. The study also highlights the potential for promoting LPG as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
The collaboration seeks to co-develop an efficient CO2 electrolyzer that can produce ethylene, a widely used chemical building block. Yushan Yan at UD will focus on making polymer membrane materials chemical resistant and strong for long-term durability.
Researchers have found that special treatment of minerals called zeolites can efficiently remove methane from the air, with advantages over other methods. The process converts methane into carbon dioxide, which is less impactful in the atmosphere than methane.
A team of OSU scientists has created a new technology that can scrub carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and convert it into valuable materials. The innovative Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOF) system uses CO2-rich gas conditions to produce functional materials with diverse applications.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...
Researchers from the University of Oxford investigated the behavior of CO2 within a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir in Louisiana, USA. They found that up to 74% of CO2 was dissolved in groundwater, while microbial methanogenesis converted 13-19% of the injected CO2 to methane.
A study of nearly 35,000 routes found that traffic speeds under 20mph are most likely to encourage cycling, with higher speeds deterring commuters. The research also highlights the importance of cycle paths and separates roads for encouraging more cycling.
A study by Yale University found that electric vehicles provide lower carbon emissions due to indirect emissions from the supply chain of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The study suggests that pricing indirect emissions can accelerate the low-carbon transition of the US light vehicle sector.
A recent study suggests that climate change in some regions is unavoidable even if CO2 levels are reduced. The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) shifts southwards when CO2 decreases, triggering persistent El Niño conditions and regional climate changes.
A recent study found that major US electric utility companies' voluntary climate pledges could lower net emissions by roughly 560 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, an amount equal to one-third of 2018 US power sector emissions. This reduction is on top of existing policies and could play a vital role in climate change mitigation.
A new study by Cornell University found that moving professional conferences online reduces the global event industry's carbon footprint by 94%, and shifting to a hybrid model cuts it to 67%. The annual carbon footprint of the industry is comparable to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of the entire US.
A simplified mathematical model found a 'lag time' between human intervention and an actual decrease in CO2 levels, which could still lead to climate tipping points. The researchers used a system of stochastic delay differential equations to analyze various emission reduction and carbon capture strategies.
Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to synthesize a pure Si-CHA membrane showing much higher CO2 separation performance than existing membranes. The key to this achievement is using a porous silica substrate instead of alumina, eliminating problems with pore size reduction and improving efficiency.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose creating a market for small diameter trees and woody biomass to reduce wildfire risk while limiting carbon emissions. By investing in innovative wood products, the state can achieve both net carbon benefits and wildfire mitigation benefits.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh propose a new semester schedule that can reduce CO2 emissions by 167 tonnes, 4.2%, by starting a new semester on September 12 and extending the winter vacation period. This approach could be adapted for other universities globally.