Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A short-lived resurgence in CFC-11 emissions in eastern China will not delay the recovery of Earth's ozone layer, according to new research. The AGAGE network helped track down the origins of the new emissions, which were found to be largely coming from eastern China.
In a new study, Northwestern University researchers found that air quality and public health benefits of electric vehicles in China depend on the type of transport electrified and the composition of the electric grid. Electrifying 40% of heavy-duty vehicles improved air quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Two international studies show levels of CFC-11 emissions are back on the decline, dropping by thousands of tons per year between 2017 and 2019. The rapid action in eastern China and other regions likely prevented a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
Global emissions of CFC-11 have fallen dramatically, with thousands of tonnes per year dropped between 2017 and 2019. The rapid decline is attributed to enhanced international efforts in eastern China and other regions, preventing a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
A study found that Brazil's average air conditioning equipment days of use would increase by over 100% in a 4°C warming scenario, significantly impacting space cooling needs. The country's energy consumption and CO2 emissions are projected to rise substantially even in more optimistic future warming scenarios.
A new study by Concordia researchers found a significant decrease in air pollution levels across major Canadian cities during the pandemic. Emission levels dropped dramatically, with a 69% reduction in Toronto and a 75% reduction in Montreal compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Researchers discovered that Arctic permafrost releases even larger quantities of CO2 than once believed, with microorganisms converting organic matter into greenhouse gases. The study found that the mineral iron no longer binds carbon as previously thought, resulting in a significant increase in CO2 emissions.
A RUDN University ecologist proposes a two-step approach to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from animal farms by evaluating carbon footprints and analyzing measures to reduce emissions. The method aims to balance soil carbon sequestration with atmospheric CO2 reduction, with potential reductions of up to 5 megatons of CO2 equivalent ...
A new study explores the potential of voyage optimization to reduce carbon intensity in short sea shipping. Researchers found that carbon intensity savings can reach up to 11% through route optimization, making it a viable operational measure for meeting short-term targets.
Researchers at Umeå University have quantified carbon emissions from rivers and lakes in Western Siberia, finding that emission rates are high and exceed carbon export to the Arctic Ocean. The study highlights the importance of inland waters in the global carbon cycle and climate system.
A University of Washington study suggests that reducing emissions by 1.8% annually would be required to meet the 2 degrees Celsius global temperature target. This represents an 80% increase in ambition over current Paris Agreement targets.
A new study suggests that increasing CO2 levels in oceans may slow tropical fish's expansion into cooler, temperate waters. The research found that elevated CO2 reduced sea urchin numbers, leading to a decrease in urchin barrens and an increase in turf algal cover.