Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
The COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant decrease in fossil carbon dioxide emissions, with a record drop of 2.4 billion tonnes in 2020. Emissions from transport accounted for the largest share of the decline, with surface transport falling by approximately half.
A new study published in Nature suggests that differentiated CO2 prices combined with moderate financial transfers between advanced and developing countries can efficiently achieve fair burden sharing while keeping overall costs in check. This approach mediates the trade-off between national sovereignty and economic efficiency.
A new study from the University of Leeds finds that rapid and deep emissions cuts can significantly slow down global warming over the next twenty years. Reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement aims to limit temperature rises and prevent unprecedented near-term warming rates.
A new study by Portland State University finds that mass incarceration is significantly associated with increases in industrial emissions. The construction and maintenance of prisons, as well as the production of goods and materials used inside prisons, contribute to these emissions.
Research by Brazilian scientists reveals that as trees grow faster, their lives get shorter, offsetting carbon storage. This trade-off impacts forest carbon uptake and highlights the need for more effective climate change mitigation strategies.
A transition to hydrogen-powered mobility in Germany's heavy duty vehicle segment could achieve a deep reduction in emissions, with potential of -57 MtCO2eq annually. Green hydrogen offers competitive advantages over battery electric vehicles, particularly for heavy loads and longer driving ranges.
New research from CU Boulder finds that worst-case emissions projections used by the IPCC are not reflecting the slowing rate of growth in the global economy. This suggests that these high-emissions scenarios have already diverged from reality and may continue to do so over the coming decades.
New observational study shows that certain Amazon rainforest regions increase photosynthesis in response to limited water stress, contradicting Earth system models. This discovery suggests the current models overestimate carbon losses in the Amazon rainforest due to climate change.
A new report reveals that using materials more efficiently can reduce GHG emissions from residential buildings and passenger vehicles by an average of 40% in seven major developed countries and 70% in China and India. Strategies include ride-sharing, building smaller homes, and recycling materials.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that urban parks experience a significant increase in evaporative losses during the night due to the oasis effect, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. This can have important implications for water conservation and greenhouse gas emission management in desert cities like Phoenix.
The EU's climate-neutral goal may be undermined by high imports of agricultural products from countries with lax environmental standards. The study recommends harmonizing sustainability standards and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use to achieve global sustainability.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals a dramatic 25% drop in regional carbon dioxide emissions after the San Francisco Bay Area implemented its first shelter-in-place mandate. The network of carbon dioxide sensors monitored by UC Berkeley scientists effectively tracked progress toward reduced emissions.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to find iron-containing dust promoted CO2 sequestration and glacial cooling in the South Pacific during the last Ice Age. The dust, mainly from north-west Argentina, traveled up to 20,000km and reduced atmospheric CO2 by up to 40ppm.
Researchers from NIES and JAMSTEC detected a 20% decrease in FFCO2 emissions in China during January-February 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The study used atmospheric observations at Hateruma Island, Japan, to quantify the changes in regional FFCO2 emissions.
Agricultural emissions alone could exceed the 1.5°C limit by 2050 if left unchecked, according to Tilman. Reducing food production emissions is crucial to keeping the planet livable in its current state, with strategies including more plant-rich diets and easing fertilizer use.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1.18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study abiotic carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics in dryland systems through irrigated pecan orchards. The project aims to understand the conditions that enhance CO2 production and develop methods to model and predict its impact.
Researchers recommend using past climates to evaluate and fine-tune climate models, as they often perform better with historic climates but struggle with ancient climates. This could help narrow uncertainties surrounding future temperature, ice sheet, and water cycle changes.
The global food system accounts for nearly a third of total greenhouse gas emissions, with land clearing and deforestation, fertilizer use, and fossil fuel combustion major contributors. Reducing food system-related emissions is crucial to meeting the 1.5°C warming target
Researchers have developed a novel method to convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide at room temperature using localized surface plasmons. This process eliminates the need for high heat, reducing energy requirements and costs in industrial production.
New research suggests that a 2°C warming would release 230 billion tonnes of carbon from the world's soil, more than four times China's total emissions over 100 years. This 'positive feedback' effect contributes to further climate change.
A team of researchers used specially-adapted drones to collect gas samples from Manam volcano in Papua New Guinea, enabling local communities to better predict future eruptions. The project also improved scientists' understanding of the Earth's carbon cycle and its contribution to sustaining life on Earth.
Researchers have developed a new drone technology that combines measurements from the air, earth and space to better understand highly active volcanoes. This allows for more accurate forecasting of future eruptions and provides insights into the global carbon cycle.
An international team of researchers estimated China's carbon mitigation efforts, revealing the country reabsorbs 45% of its annual human-made CO2 emissions through forest growth. The study used newly available data and independent satellite measurements to corroborate findings.
A recent study found that leaving more big fish in the sea reduces CO2 emissions by sequestering carbon. Large fish like tuna and sharks contain significant amounts of carbon, which is released into the atmosphere when they are caught.
A study led by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research found that regenerated forests in the Brazilian Amazon can offset 12% of carbon emissions due to deforestation. The study created 131 benchmark maps for Brazil and showed that secondary forests absorb a larger amount of carbon than they release.
Researchers developed a new material that can separate CO2 from industrial waste gases, natural gas, and biogas without chemically binding it. The process is energy-efficient and cost-effective, making it an important contribution to climate protection and sustainable industrial production.
A new engine technology decreases NOx and soot levels by 92% and 88%, respectively, and CO2 emissions by 15%. The dual-fuel parallel hybrid combustion system is more efficient than purely electrical vehicles, with optimised battery use reducing fuel consumption by 13%.
A comprehensive study by KIT and Auburn University finds that agricultural production is a major source of global nitrous oxide emissions, which contribute significantly to climate change. The study suggests that increasing food demand may further exacerbate the problem, highlighting the need for efficient nitrogen use in agriculture.
A new modelling study by researchers at UCL and Yale found that paper recycling may increase greenhouse gas emissions unless powered by renewable energy. The study suggests that modernising landfill practices and using renewable energy can reduce emissions significantly.
Membrane-based Direct Air Capture (m-DAC) technology has been developed to efficiently capture CO2 from ambient air. The technology uses organic polymer membranes to separate carbon dioxide with high efficiency and competitive energy expenses.
The study found that transportation emissions decreased by 19.2% and aviation pollution plummeted by 37.4% due to reduced human mobility. The largest decline was seen in the US, with a 13% drop in CO2 emissions.
A new study by the University of Sussex Business School reveals that countries signing up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have seen significant reductions in carbon emissions, with an average decrease of 13% between 2000 and 2014. In contrast, the world average carbon footprint per capita grew by 23% over th...
A recent study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in global carbon dioxide emissions, with a total drop of 1551 million tonnes. The pandemic resulted in a 16.9% decline in emissions in April, largely due to lockdown measures and reduced transportation sector activity.
A Monash University study warns of devastating impacts of climate change on wildfire seasons, with fuel, oxygen, and ignition source conditions fueling the crisis. Immediate action is needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions and avoid substantial increases in wildfire exposure by the end of the century.
Researchers found a seasonally variable biogenic CO2 cycle in Los Angeles, driven by irrigation and turf/plant growth, accounting for 33% of total emissions. The study highlights the need to separate fossil and biogenic sources of carbon in urban areas.
A recent study reveals that nitrous oxide emissions are increasing at an alarming rate, with growing emissions in emerging economies driven by agricultural activity. The researchers predict that N2O emissions will continue to grow unless sustainable practices are adopted, such as best management practices for farming.
A study suggests that reducing indirect greenhouse gas emissions from UC campus food systems can be achieved through a shift towards more plant-based options. The researchers found that changing the food system could reduce emissions by 42-55% and align with the system's carbon neutrality goals.
An international team of researchers confirms human-sourced nitrous oxide emissions are responsible for the 20% increase since the Industrial Revolution. The study finds that agriculture is a significant contributor to these emissions, making it challenging to mitigate their impacts and meet international climate goals.
A new study finds N2O emissions are increasing faster than any emission scenario developed by the IPCC, posing a significant threat to climate goals. Human-induced emissions dominate releases, with East Asia, South Asia, Africa, and South America being the largest contributors.
The study found that nitrous oxide has risen 20% from pre-industrial levels, with the largest contributors coming from East Asia, South Asia, Africa, and South America. This increase is incompatible with pathways to achieve the Paris Agreement's climate goals.
A new study suggests that coordinated international action on energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling could avoid as much as 600 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions in this century. The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down HFCs, and improving energy efficiency in cooling technologies can lead to significant elec...
A new map provides detailed greenhouse gas emissions data across the US, enabling policymakers to identify problem areas and develop targeted policies. The Vulcan Project, developed by Northern Arizona University, offers a standardized system for quantifying and visualizing emissions down to individual power plants and neighborhoods.
A new study published in Nature Energy reveals that nuclear power does not deliver sufficient carbon emission reductions and should not be considered a low-carbon energy source. Renewable energy investments are found to have stronger correlations with CO2-emission reductions, particularly in countries with lower GDP per capita.
A global decrease in emissions led to a sudden increase in data collection opportunities for atmospheric researchers, allowing them to study pollution in real-time. This data could help address climate change and air quality problems by informing policymakers on the impact of climate-friendly legislation.
A new study found that China's success in reducing air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, black carbon, and organic carbon may exacerbate global warming. The reductions, achieved through stringent measures, led to notable public health benefits but also changed the radiative forcing of the earth's temperature.
West Virginia University engineers have developed a new low-cost process to convert natural gas flared at industrial sites into high-value solid carbon and hydrogen. The $3 million DOE award aims to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from shale gas production, benefiting various industries and the economy.
Researchers found that spreading volcanic ash from a ship to an area of ocean floor could sequester up to 2300 tonnes of CO2, significantly cheaper than other methods. The technique is less invasive and doesn't require expensive technology or land repurposing.
Researchers at Osaka City University have discovered metal ions as a key component to produce malic acid, a molecule with 4 carbon atoms, through artificial photosynthesis. This innovation enables the exploration of CO2 as a raw material for producing complex materials.
Despite high hopes, the Amazon's regrowing forests have been found to absorb less than 10% of the carbon dioxide released from widespread deforestation. Secondary forests, which form a key part of climate policies, are also subject to repeated deforestation, limiting their effectiveness as carbon stores.
A new study by UC Davis researchers incorporates natural capital into climate change cost models, revealing large implications for climate policy. The authors found that the social cost of carbon is likely too low, and rapid mitigation of climate damage to natural systems is warranted.
Reusing tableware can significantly reduce plastic waste and emissions from online food deliveries. Silicone reusable tableware offers a promising solution, reducing waste by up to 92% and environmental emissions by more than two-thirds.
Increasing tree planting in understocked US forestland could increase carbon sequestration capacity by approximately 20%. Currently, annual tree-planting efforts result in sequestering around 16-28 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Researchers measure CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and find no decrease despite estimated reductions of up to eight percent in 2020. Long-term changes are needed to reach Paris Climate Agreement goals, requiring cumulative reductions every year.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers found that consumers across the US and Europe prefer a constant-cost plan to fund climate action, reducing opposition compared to ramp-up approaches. The constant-cost plan also encourages energy reduction over time, even with high average household costs.
A study published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry found that high soil moisture content can lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions due to accelerated mineralization processes. Protecting meadowlands from bogging may help reduce CO2 emissions and slow down global warming.
Scientific research predicts large increases in mercury concentrations in Yukon River fish and water under high carbon emissions scenarios. For the low-emissions scenario, mercury concentrations are expected to increase by only about 14%.
A new study finds that massive volcanism sent great waves of carbon into the oceans thousands of years ago, but human emissions are now three to eight times faster. The consequences for life on land and in the water could be catastrophic.
Researchers analyzed 12 voluntary REDD+ projects in the Brazilian Amazon and found that they overestimated reduction of deforestation and carbon emissions. Decreasing deforestation trends during early stages of REDD+ projects may explain why these projects resulted in less avoided deforestation than expected.
A new study estimates that studying the ocean's biological carbon pump could lead to more accurate climate models, improving policies on carbon emissions. The research suggests a global economic benefit of $500 billion if science informs policy decisions.
A study published in Geoderma journal reveals that iron minerals and bacteria are main agents of carbon dioxide emissions from soil. Iron facilitates formation of active oxygen forms that destroy plant waste and promote CO2 emissions.