Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
Researchers used Project Drawdown's global strategies to estimate that a system of 20 high-impact solutions could decrease Georgia's carbon footprint by 35% in 2030 compared to business-as-usual forecasts. The study suggests that this approach can be replicated for other US states lacking state-specific plans.
A Chinese satellite has reported a global carbon net of six gigatons, indicating an increase in carbon emissions that contributes to climate change. The TanSat satellite's data will be used to independently verify national emission inventories and help ensure transparency across the globe.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures and drought will reduce California's natural ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, potentially limiting the state's progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. The study highlights the importance of present-day drought and wildfire in driving carbon sequestration losses.
Current carbon capture technologies require significant energy output, making them less than optimal. Researchers are working on developing more efficient methods using solid sorbents and membranes, which already show promise in concentrated CO2 emissions sites.
A study by KIT researchers found that stopping further expansion of wind energy use in scenic areas could increase power generation costs by up to 7 cents per kilowatt hour and CO2 emissions by up to 200 grams per kilowatt hour. This may require alternative renewable energy sources like solar or bioenergy.
A new approach to analyze satellite measurements shows that clouds are likely to enhance global heating, further exacerbating climate change. The research suggests that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will lead to an average warming of more than 3°C.
A global team has found that wild pigs are releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, with estimated emissions of around 4.9 million metric tonnes annually. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 1.1 million cars and highlights the impact of invasive species on climate change.
A new method evaluates satellite CO2 observations over open ocean areas, using cargo ship and passenger aircraft data. The study reveals a negative bias in satellite XCO2 data, which can be attributed to uncertainties in the retrieval algorithms.
Researchers found that most protected areas have been effective against deforestation, but significant variation exists among them. They estimated that these protected areas avoid the same amount of carbon emissions as 120,000 Europeans per year.
A study estimated the amount of carbon emitted from biomass burning in Equatorial Asia during 2015, using high-precision observations from a commercial passenger aircraft and a cargo ship. The estimated emissions were around 273 Tg C, comparable to Japan's annual CO2 emissions.
A new study from Monterey Bay Aquarium illustrates the disparity between global emissions and local climate change impacts. The research shows that regions generating most emissions are different from those expected to experience the greatest warming, with 90% of all greenhouse emissions originating from just 8% of Earth's surface area.
The article highlights the significant impact of nitrous oxide on the ozone layer and climate change. Chemical companies are now developing efficient technologies to reduce N2O emissions, including catalyst-based processes that can decrease emissions by up to 90%. The industry is also exploring alternative uses for captured N2O emissions.
A new study reveals that 25 megacities globally produce over half of the world's urban greenhouse gas emissions. Cities in developed countries like Europe, US, and Australia have significantly higher per capita emissions than those in developing areas. The majority of emissions come from stationary energy and transportation sectors.
A Cornell University-led team projects that vehicle electrification, driverless cars, and ride sharing could prevent 5,500 premature deaths and save $58 billion annually in the US by 2050. The study also finds that vehicle electrification is the most important piece for carbon mitigations and health benefits.
Coastal ecosystems worldwide are estimated to have a significant impact on the global economy, with countries like Australia and Indonesia storing large amounts of carbon. The study found that these countries generate annual welfare gains of around $26.4 billion from reduced climate change costs, while other nations like India and Chin...
A new study proposes establishing carbon removal obligations to manage the growing global carbon debt, which could amount to 2-18 years of pre-COVID emissions. This approach aims to distribute financial flows and costs more equitably over time, ensuring a viable net-negative carbon economy.
A new scheme proposes tying CO2 emissions to carbon removal obligations to slow global warming. The researchers argue that funds for future carbon debt repayment should be collected through a carbon pricing scheme before and while carbon debt is accrued.
Faster EV adoption and renewable energy generation will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in Hawaii, with a potential decrease of up to 93% by 2050. This is made possible through mathematical models created by University of Hawaii at Manoa faculty member Katherine McKenzie.
A new study predicts that climate change could increase the global population at risk of malaria and dengue by up to 4.7 billion people by 2100, particularly in lowlands and urban areas. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions could prevent millions from contracting these diseases.
A $10 million grant from The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research will support a six-year project to measure dairy farming's greenhouse gas footprint and develop strategies to reduce emissions. The study aims to make the US dairy industry carbon neutral while supporting farmer livelihoods.
The Gulf Coast region is well-positioned to develop a carbon storage economy, thanks to its unique geology and high concentration of industry. The study highlights the region's potential for capturing and storing CO2, which can help reduce emissions in the near term.
Researchers at UC Davis have received three ARPA-E grants totaling $4.5 million to improve biofuel production efficiency. The grants focus on using microbes, metal catalysts, and enzymes to minimize waste and carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new approach to reduce energy consumption in CO2 electrolysis by using magnetism. The study demonstrates an energy savings range of 7-64% and replaces traditional iridium catalysts with more abundant nickel-iron alternatives.
Researchers at NIST have upgraded their laser frequency-comb instrument to measure three airborne greenhouse gases: nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, plus major air pollutants ozone and carbon monoxide. The new system can identify gas signatures by precisely measuring the amounts of light absorbed at each color in the bro...
A recent study using ethane proxies has found that oil and gas wells contribute significantly to greenhouse warming, exceeding EPA estimates by 48-76%. The researchers tracked ethane and methane emissions across the US over three seasons, providing new insights into fossil fuel sources.
University of Delaware researchers are developing a system to produce bioenergy from microbes that convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. The team aims to refine the technology to produce desirable metabolites and consume less useful ones, paving the way for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that balancing carbon dioxide emissions with removals could lead to different climate outcomes. Researchers found that a larger amount of CO2 removal is required to compensate for a given amount of CO2 emissions to maintain unchanged atmospheric CO2 concentration.
A new study suggests that aviation's contribution to cutting climate change will be small, even with emission targets in line with the Paris Agreement. Researchers warn that non-CO2 effects, such as nitrogen oxides and ozone, will continue to make a major contribution to aviation's climate impact over the coming years.
A green transition roadmap for emissions-reducing technologies could achieve net negative emissions through optimized fertilizer application, low-emission alternatives, and system redesign. This plan aims to generate environmental benefits while fulfilling societal functions in row crop agriculture.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have created a photocatalyst that efficiently uses visible light from the sun to decompose CO2. The breakthrough uses single-walled carbon nanotubes to improve electron transfer pathways and synthesis processes, enabling large-scale manufacturing.
A proposed project aims to detect seismic faults and fractures using 3D imaging to reduce the risk of injecting carbon dioxide. By imaging small-scale fractures, it's possible to estimate fluid leakage pathways.
Scientists developed a new copper catalyst with sharp needle structures, enhancing CO2 reduction reaction efficiency by mitigating electrolyte flooding and increasing selectivity. The study published in Journal of the American Chemical Society showcases the stability and productivity of the hierarchical Cu electrode.
A study on carbon dioxide emissions downstream of the Kariba Dam in Zambia reveals highly variable emissions, influenced by seasonal and hourly changes. Failing to account for these variations could lead to biased estimates of tropical reservoir emissions.
A team of Monash University scientists has discovered a new process based on phosphonium salts to produce green ammonia from renewable energy. The process represents a major contribution towards the development of a sustainable fuel for the future, with potential applications in fertiliser production and as an energy carrier.
A new study suggests that deep decarbonization by 2050 is currently not plausible, highlighting the need for more ambitious climate action. The Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook examines social drivers and technological advancements to determine which climate futures are possible.
A team from University of Arizona observes radio emissions from hydrogen cyanide, formyl ion, and carbon monoxide in five planetary nebulae, outlining their shapes for the first time. The findings support the idea that planetary nebulae seed the interstellar medium with molecules that form new stars and planets.
A new global analysis reveals that greenhouse-gas emissions from food systems have long been systematically underestimated, with the equivalent of 16 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide produced in 2018. The study highlights the need for integrating research with efforts to reduce emissions and emphasizes the importance of considerin...
A new study found that climate warming will increase carbon loss in Canadian peatland by 103 per cent due to changes in soil temperature and photosynthesis. This will lead to a strong positive climate feedback loop, where peatlands release greenhouse gases contributing to further climate warming.
Scientists used CO2 sensors to track changes in urban emissions, detecting a 33% reduction in Los Angeles and 34% in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore region. The study shows top-down methods can produce reliable emissions estimates, giving cities an important new tool to reduce emissions.
Historical carbon emissions from cultivated northern peatlands are estimated to be around 72 billion tons over 850-2010. The study reveals that only about half of the emitted carbon was compensated by natural peatland carbon absorption.
Researchers investigate storage of CO2-N2-O2 mixtures in geological formations, suggesting environmentally safe and economically viable approach to remove carbon from atmosphere. Direct air capture technology enables carbon capture anywhere, reducing transportation costs and improving social acceptance.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new electrochemical system that converts more than 50% of CO2 into valuable products. The system runs under acidic conditions, which reduces undesired side reactions and enhances efficiency, making it an economically viable solution for carbon capture and utilization.
Researchers developed an electrochemical system that converts a greater amount of CO2 into valuable products. The system utilizes captured carbon, water, and electricity to create high-value products like ethylene, with over 70% of CO2 being converted.
Global clean energy technology adoption is growing at a rapid pace, particularly in niche markets like Norway and California for electric vehicles, Ireland for wind power, and China for electric buses and new nuclear. These pioneers are crucial to addressing climate change by developing and deploying low-carbon technologies.
Researchers at NYU Tandon have developed a method to speed up the doping process of perovskite solar cells using carbon dioxide, increasing efficiency by 100 times. This process also captures CO2, making it a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in commercial solar cell production.
A new study reveals that global water reservoirs emit around 29% more greenhouse gases than previously thought, primarily due to methane degassing. Practical measures can be taken to reduce this impact, such as selectively withdrawing water from near the surface.
Researchers analyzed conversion factors of methane into CO2 equivalent, finding a dynamic approach to reduce economic cost while maintaining stability. The study suggests adapting conversion factors to future pathways to implement cheapest options, potentially avoiding additional mitigation costs up to 5% in high overshoot scenarios.
Researchers have developed a novel nitrogen-doped dual-emission carbon dot as an effective fluorescent probe for ratiometric detection of dopamine. The new probe simplifies the detection process, reducing the need for complex nanomaterial combinations.
A ban on new fossil-fuel car sales could lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, but the effect will depend on factors like battery manufacturing. By 2045, electric cars can reduce life-cycle emissions by 3-5 million tonnes of CO2.
IIASA researchers have proposed a novel systematic scenario framework to help policymakers assess and compare climate policies across countries. The framework allows for exploration of multiple systematic scenarios associated with emissions reductions in 2050, providing a flexible approach to assessing national long-term pathways.
Researchers estimate that restoring all global agricultural peatlands could cut 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to one per cent of global GHG emissions. Raising peatland water levels could allow farmers to reduce climate impact while extending soil usage.
A new study finds that emission intensity per unit of animal protein produced from the livestock sector has decreased globally over the past two decades due to greater production efficiency. However, regional differences in emission intensities remain and are influenced by factors such as diet, grazing intensity, climate, and manure ma...
The study highlights the need for better understanding of terms, rules, and procedures used in GHG emission inventories. Research communities must provide methodological guidance to improve countries' GHG inventories, while also benefiting from their data.
Construction firm Nationwide Engineering has made history by pouring the world's first sustainable graphene concrete slab in a commercial setting. The innovative material is strengthened by 30% compared to standard concrete, significantly reducing material use and carbon footprint.
The UK is investing £30 million in five large-scale greenhouse gas removal projects, including peatland management and biochar use, to complement emission reductions. The projects will assess the effectiveness and scalability of innovative methods to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
By achieving carbon neutrality, China can reduce PM2.5 concentrations from over 10 μg/m3 to around 8 μg/m3, meeting national air quality standards.
Research from Harvard University suggests that solar geoengineering may be surprisingly effective in alleviating some of the worst impacts of global warming on crops. The study found that all three potential methods have a strong cooling effect benefiting crop yields.
Carbon farming is gaining traction as a method to sequester carbon emissions and replenish soil nutrients, benefiting farmers and the environment. Companies are providing incentives for sustainable practices like low-till farming and planting cover crops.
A study highlights the significant impact of permafrost thaw on carbon emissions and climate goals. The authors warn that permafrost thaw is expected to increase as temperatures rise, potentially exacerbating global warming beyond the 2°C limit.
A new paper suggests that current carbon budgets fail to account for permafrost thawing and Arctic feedback loops, exacerbating warming and potentially triggering an exponential increase in emissions. Global leaders are urged to incorporate the latest science into climate models and update risk assessments to meet climate goals.