Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
New research by Aalto University warns that climate change could push a third of global food production out of safe climatic space if greenhouse gas emissions continue growing unchecked. The study assesses the impact of climate change on crop production and livestock, highlighting regions most vulnerable to changes.
Only a few hundred climate scenarios avoid significantly overshooting the 1.5°C limit, according to a new study. All realistic scenarios require significant emission reductions and rely on multiple mitigation levers, including carbon removal and land use changes. The window for meeting the target is rapidly closing.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that standing dead trees in coastal wetland forests, known as ghost forests, emit significant greenhouse gases. The study, published in Biogeochemistry, reveals that snags increase overall ecosystem GHG emissions by about 25%.
A new paper found that cleaning local lakes and waterbodies can slow climate change and save trillions of dollars by reducing methane emissions. The study estimated the costs of global climate change due to eutrophication from 2015 to 2050 to be as much as $81 trillion.
A team of researchers aims to increase microorganism's ability to convert CO2 into methane for efficient production of sustainable fuel. The ReMeSh project will examine bio-electrochemical systems and accelerate electron transfer to microbes.
Researchers evaluated CO2 levels and ventilation rates in dental operatories, finding that CO2 levels can be measured with a simple consumer-grade CO2 sensor. They also demonstrated that ventilation rates can be assessed by observing CO2 levels after mixing baking soda and vinegar.
Despite significant changes in consumption patterns, Japanese households maintained their normal levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that while some emissions decreased, others increased, but overall, the carbon footprint remained within a similar range as previous years.
A global study suggests that coral reefs will experience significant declines in calcium carbonate production under projected climate scenarios. The models predict that 63% of reefs will continue to grow by 2100 under RCP2.6, but 94% will be eroding by 2050 under RCP8.5.
Research from San Diego State University models show that high microbial fluctuations in soil lead to higher carbon emissions. By reducing fluctuation, land stewards can lower emissions and sustain soil fertility.
Federated learning, a new approach to training AI models, is found to have a significantly greener impact than traditional methods. By distributing training across multiple devices, the energy consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced. This method has important privacy benefits as well, keeping data local and secure.
Researchers warn that hydrogen-based fuels are not a straightforward solution for climate targets, as they come with significant costs and energy losses. Direct electrification alternatives are often more economic and efficient.
A Rutgers coauthored study suggests catastrophic sea-level rise from Antarctic melting may occur if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius, triggering rapid ice-sheet retreat and collapse. The risk of such an event is lower if the Paris Agreement's target is met.
Researchers at ETH Zurich calculate that waste incineration plants in Europe have a significant potential for negative emissions through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). If fully exploited, BECCS could reduce European CO2 emissions by 200 million tonnes per year.
A new study has reduced the Southern Ocean's CO2 uptake uncertainty by 50% using a novel method that constrains the ocean's carbon sink. The approach links human-made CO2 uptake to surface water salinity, allowing for more accurate projections of future climate change.
A new EU climate target of cutting emissions by 55% by 2030 will dramatically speed up the decarbonization of Europe's power sector, leading to a significant phaseout of coal power. Renewable energies are expected to contribute nearly three-quarters of power generation in 2030 and reach zero emissions in the power sector by 2040.
A new analysis suggests China needs to reduce carbon emissions by over 90% and energy consumption by almost 40% to achieve the 1.5°C target, with industry being the main emission contributor. The study also highlights the need for more research on economic consequences of working towards this goal.
A study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that China's efforts to achieve a 1.5°C warming limit require significant reductions in carbon and non-carbon emissions, with substantial declines in energy consumption and fossil fuel use. The study also highlights the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests that dairy farmers can reduce nitrous oxide emissions from corn crops by applying manure after planting and using organic nitrogen amendments. The results show that this approach can lower total nitrogen application and mitigate climate change, while also protecting water quality.
Raising water levels in agricultural peatlands can mitigate climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Halving drainage depths could cut emissions by 1% of all global GHG emissions, equivalent to 500 million tons of CO2 annually.
Versogen, a UD spinoff company, has developed patented membrane technology to produce low-cost green hydrogen at scale using a new class of low-cost electrolyzer technology. This technology aims to decarbonize heavy industries and reduce industrial carbon emissions in an environmentally responsible way.
A new study reveals that ocean oxygen depletion will continue for centuries if all CO2 emissions were stopped immediately, more than quadrupling the current loss. The long-term decrease in oxygen primarily affects deeper layers, leading to major shifts in marine ecosystems and potentially changing habitats.
Researchers propose a dynamic, long-term carbon price pathway to minimize governance and sustainability concerns. The approach aims to balance emissions reduction with economic viability, reducing the need for excessive CO2 removal technologies.
A study using airborne laser scanning found that water stress, soil fertility, and anthropic forest degradation contribute to tree mortality in the Amazon. The researchers mapped gaps in the forest using LiDAR data, which showed a significant correlation with field mortality patterns.
Research finds a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese inland waters over the past three decades, primarily driven by environmental alterations. The study suggests that ignoring these emissions will result in overestimating China's terrestrial carbon sink capability.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience found that aquatic ecosystems are a significant source of global methane emissions, accounting for at least half of the total methane emissions budget. Human activities such as agriculture, fertilization runoff, and aquaculture contribute to these emissions.
Researchers found that improved ranching management practices in regions like Brazil and the US can lead to substantial emissions reductions. The study analyzed 12 strategies for reducing beef production emissions worldwide and identified increased efficiency and enhanced land management as key factors.
Research demonstrates that smart glazing windows can decrease energy consumption for lighting and temperature control by up to 35 percent, while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30 percent. The technology also optimizes natural daylight in a room, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
Researchers have found that plants play a leading role in cycling toxic mercury through the environment, absorbing up to 1,300 tons of mercury each year. This process can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems in humans if exposed to high levels over long periods.
A new analysis by New York University researchers found that the world's largest meat and dairy companies have not made explicit commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Only four companies, including Dairy Farmers of America and Nestle, have made such a commitment.
Researchers analyze Deccan Traps CO2 budgets and find that volcanic carbon emissions alone couldn't cause global warming, but magmas releasing CO2 beneath the surface could explain a warming event. The study provides new insights into the role of volcanism in shaping Earth's climate.
New study by Stanford and Carnegie Mellon researchers finds that managing high salinity brines from efficient underground carbon sequestration imposes significant energy and emissions penalties. The approach prioritizes storage in low salinity reservoirs, minimizing extraction ratios and recovery extent to reduce penalties.
A new study projects extreme heatwaves of up to 56 degrees Celsius in the MENA region, posing a significant threat to human life and forced migration. The research team recommends immediate climate change mitigation measures and adaptation solutions for urban centers.
Researchers highlight China's success in launching nationwide ecological projects, which have contributed to over half of the country's natural carbon sinks. Implementing natural climate solutions could result in mitigating nearly 15 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases per year.
The ALARM project aims to develop a warning system that predicts potential hotspots of climate change, helping aircraft avoid areas with high CO2 emissions. The system combines atmospheric data with Artificial Intelligence algorithms to provide quick alerts for controllers and pilots.
Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University have discovered a way to synthesize cyclic carbonates from atmospheric CO2 using sunlight and gold nanoparticles. This method is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods, which require high temperatures and pressure.
A groundbreaking global study maps ocean areas that, if strongly protected, can help solve climate, food and biodiversity crises. The research identified specific regions that could provide multiple benefits, including safeguarding nearly 80% of marine species and preventing the release of one billion tons of CO2 into the ocean.
Scientists review advances in CO2 electrochemical transformation using ILs, focusing on CO2 reduction and organic transformation. They highlight the potential of ILs to improve selectivity and efficiency, enabling the production of value-added chemicals.
Climate models suggest that offsetting agricultural emissions through CO2 removal could require substantial price increases, potentially up to 41% for beef, 40% for milk, and 14% for rice. Implementing such measures could be crucial in achieving ambitious climate targets.
A recent study has unveiled a novel membrane-free CO2 battery that can produce hydrogen and electricity while sequestering carbon dioxide emissions. The new battery exhibits high faradaic efficiency of 92.0% and offers significant benefits for sustainable human life.
A comprehensive study identifies specific ocean areas that must be protected to safeguard over 80% of endangered marine species' habitats and boost fishing catches. The research also finds that trawling is pumping hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the ocean every year, highlighting the need for strict protection.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that combining subsidies with behavioral interventions led to a 24% reduction in weekly carbon emissions. Subsidizing low-carbon emission meals was more effective than using carbon taxes or traffic light labelling alone.
A researcher is studying the connection between CO2 and dissolved oxygen in lakes to better understand lake carbon cycling and its impact on global carbon cycle. The study aims to develop a more accurate understanding of the relationship, which could lead to improved estimates of CO2 emissions from inland waters.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab analyze total cost of ownership of electric and diesel long-haul trucks, finding electric trucks have a 13% per mile lower total cost of ownership. The study also shows future reductions in battery costs could reduce the difference to 50% per mile by 2030.
Research at ETH Zurich found that defaulting to green electricity increased demand by over 80% in private households, with a significant impact on business customers as well. Despite higher costs, the majority of customers stuck with green options, demonstrating the lasting effect of default settings.
A Swiss energy market study found that adopting a 'green default' option for consumers leads to significant shifts towards renewable energy. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that both households and businesses predominantly accepted the default option, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions reductions.
The MUCCnet sensor network in Munich quantifies carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide concentrations with unique spectral analysis. By removing local disturbances, the network provides robust and accurate emission balances.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the most detailed accounting of the cannabis industry's greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that US indoor cannabis cultivation results in life-cycle emissions of between 2,283 and 5,184kg CO2 per kg dried flower.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that stricter environmental laws in one country can lead to increased pollution in other countries with lax regulations. This phenomenon, known as 'carbon leakage,' highlights the need for global cooperation on environmental policies.
To achieve its goal, Switzerland must double its photovoltaic capacity every decade, with power from wind, hydrogen fuel cells, and imports also contributing. Electric vehicles and heat pumps will become crucial, while energy savings through building renovation are essential for meeting the target.
The study found that air pollutants decreased more than carbon dioxide during the lockdown, confirming earlier assumptions. The researchers also revealed that domestic and commercial energy consumption contribute less to nitrogen oxide emissions than previously thought, with traffic responsible for over 90% of emissions.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that a carbon tax is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce emissions causing climate change. The study found that adding a price to carbon production resulted in lower emissions at half the cost of renewable energy subsidies.
A new study from the University of East Anglia and the UK Energy Research Centre found that people's views and actions on climate change should be included in decision-making processes. The research reveals a holistic approach to public engagement, highlighting various ways citizens are engaging with low-carbon energy futures.
New research shows that while 64 countries cut fossil CO2 emissions during 2016-2019, the rate of reduction needs to increase tenfold to meet the Paris Agreement aims to tackle climate change. Global emissions grew by 0.21 billion tonnes of CO2 per year during 2016-2019 compared to 2011-2015.
A study compared seven countries' dietary guidelines and found significant variations in greenhouse gas emissions associated with food consumption patterns. India's diet had the lowest carbon footprint, while the US had one of the highest due to high dairy recommendations.
Scientists have developed a graphene filter that can extract carbon dioxide from industrial emissions with high efficiency and speed. The filter, which is the thinnest in the world, can separate carbon dioxide from other gases with an efficiency surpassing most current filters.
A new framework allows designers to assess environmental impact early in the design process, reducing costs and increasing sustainability. By rapidly simulating tens of thousands of design iterations, architects can make more informed decisions and achieve greater efficiency.
Researchers have synthesized a rare metal complex of nitrous oxide, demonstrating its strong binding ability to metals, potentially opening new avenues for using it in synthetic chemistry. The findings could also help degrade N2O to harmless substances, mitigating its impact on the atmosphere.
Researchers used medium-resolution satellite images to generate a burned area dataset for sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in significantly higher estimates of burned areas compared to coarse-resolution images. The study estimated fire carbon emissions at 1.44 PgC, substantially surpassing previous estimates.
Researchers found a significant decrease in atmospheric ammonia concentrations during COVID-19 lockdowns in urban Beijing and rural Xianghe sites, contradicting previous assumptions about the major source of ammonia emissions.