Research on carbon emissions and cutting them. Covers satellite emission tracking, workplace diets, CO2 testing, and low-carbon cement.
New research in the Pacific Ocean reveals that ocean acidification is increasing nitrous oxide production, a potent greenhouse gas. If current trends continue, N2O emissions could surge by 185-491% by 2100, exacerbating climate change.
A new Harvard study estimates climate and health benefits from renewable energy installation vary greatly by country. The study suggests that companies, investors, and policymakers can use this framework to make strategic decisions around achieving sustainable development goals.
Researchers found that northern tree species, including pine, birch, and spruce, release nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. The emissions vary by season, with peaks in summer, and are linked to physiological activity. The study suggests trees play a significant role in the global N2O balance.
A NASA-funded study reveals that winter carbon dioxide loss from the Arctic permafrost region could increase by 41% over the next century if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace. This would mark a stark reversal for the Arctic, which has captured and stored carbon for tens of thousands of years.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have made a breakthrough in finding catalysts for renewable energy production. They discovered new molecules that can increase the efficiency of water splitting, reducing the
A new study from MIT found that aviation emissions cause twice as much damage to air quality as to the climate. The researchers developed metrics for comparing climate and air quality impacts of aviation emissions.
Researchers from UCLA, Oxford, and others analyzed 10 industrial applications for carbon dioxide emissions, finding that utilizing CO2 could help the environment by reducing emissions. The study suggests a potential scale of over 10 gigatonnes of CO2 use per year at under $100 per tonne.
Researchers found that current forecasts indicate the US electric power sector will meet 2020 and 2025 CO2 reduction requirements under the Paris Agreement. Despite no national policy aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, the US is ahead of schedule to meet short-term and mid-term goals.
A recent study found that only 15% of California K-12 classrooms met the recommended ventilation standard, leading to high CO2 levels and thermal discomfort. The researchers recommend improvements such as commissioning, fan operation, filter replacement, and CO2 monitoring to ensure adequate air quality.
A new study finds that sea levels will rise by 20 centimeters by 2300 even if current carbon emissions pledges are met. The increase is attributed to global warming, which takes longer to respond than immediate temperature increases.
Researchers have developed an artificial leaf that converts carbon dioxide into methanol, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a sustainable alternative fuel. The technology uses cuprous oxide as a catalyst, mimicking photosynthesis in plants.
A study found declining mercury concentrations in lake trout from Lake Michigan, likely due to domestic emissions reductions. However, changes in fish diets and growth rates due to zebra mussel invasions slowed these declines.
A new study by Ohio State University and Yale University estimates that deforestation contributes only 7% of manmade net carbon emissions, down from previous estimates of 27%. The research also highlights the importance of forest management in reducing carbon emissions.
Satellites are now essential for monitoring ocean carbon levels, which helps slow climate change. The new study highlights the potential of increased satellite exploitation to fill critical knowledge gaps in ocean monitoring.
Research shows that losing intact tropical forests results in a 626% increase in climate impact, equivalent to two years of global land-use change emissions. The study highlights the devastating effects of deforestation on the climate and emphasizes the need for better funding and conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that intact tropical forests have a significantly higher carbon impact than previously thought, with losses between 2000 and 2013 resulting in a 626% increase. This translates to two years' worth of global land-use change emissions and underscores the urgent need for conservation.
Researchers found that switching to dry powder inhalers from metered-dose inhalers could reduce carbon emissions by 58 tonnes annually, while also cutting drug costs. This switch could save the equivalent of 150-400kg of CO2 annually per individual.
International researchers from IIASA and Japan propose a more systematic exploration of the carbon budget scenario space to address biases identified in current literature. This new approach aims to hedge against future budget uncertainties and provide consistency between physical climate science and mitigation assessments.
A new study finds that relaxing U.S. energy regulations and considering climate change would increase ozone precursors in the air, leading to more counties failing to meet air quality standards. The research used a computer model to simulate the effects of relaxed policies and climate change on ozone levels through 2050.
China's annual carbon emissions growth declined significantly from 10% to 0.3% between 2002-2012 and 2012-2017, respectively. The slowdown is attributed to China's focus on high-quality development, improving energy efficiency, and shifting consumption patterns.
A Stanford University study published in Energy and Environmental Science suggests that carbon capture technologies can cause more harm than good, reducing only a small fraction of carbon emissions. The research concludes that using renewable energy options like wind or solar is always better from a social cost perspective.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers warns that rollbacks of US energy regulations could lead to increased CO2 emissions, slowed progress in reducing pollutants, and worsening air quality. This could result in higher costs for healthcare and finances due to increased cases of respiratory illness.
A recent study found that mountain streams have a higher average CO2 emission rate per square meter than lower-altitude streams due to additional turbulence. The scientists developed a model to estimate natural CO2 emissions from over 1.8 million mountain streams worldwide, indicating geological sources as the primary origin of CO2.
Researchers find that pyrite weathering played a significant role in ending glacial periods, releasing greenhouse gas CO2 into the atmosphere. The process helped to increase sea levels and warm the climate system, leading to rapid sea-level rise and the melting of glaciers.
A new roadmap outlines critical actions on forests, farming, and food systems to achieve the land sector's 50% emissions reduction by 2050. The study suggests reducing deforestation, peatland drainage, and burning by 70%, restoring forests and coastal mangroves, and shifting one in five people to primarily plant-based diets.
A study by University of Leeds researchers found that introducing fungi to wheat can boost nutrient uptake and potentially lead to new, climate-resilient crop varieties. The partnership between wheat and soil fungi could help reduce the use of fertilizers, a major contributor to global carbon emissions.
Global REDD+ fund allocation scenarios optimize carbon reduction for a moderate cost increase in biodiversity conservation. Adding ambition to equity targets significantly improves outcomes without reducing the effect of funding on carbon and biodiversity results.
A new study reveals that using average emissions intensities can lead to errors in estimating the benefits of interventions, potentially compromising their implementation. By analyzing electricity from PJM, researchers found that ignoring marginal emissions can underestimate damages avoided by 50%. The study highlights the importance o...
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a porous material that selectively captures CO2 molecules with high efficiency, converting them into valuable organic materials. The material can also be recycled without losing its efficiency.
A new study by Concordia researchers finds that extreme heat days caused by CO2 emissions lead to lost labor productivity, with lower-income countries experiencing stronger economic impacts. The research estimates that every trillion tonnes of CO2 emitted could cause global GDP losses of about half a percent.
A new study from the University of British Columbia suggests that consumers are more accepting of carbon pricing in air travel when the fee is labeled as a carbon offset and directed at fossil fuel producers. The study found that consumers were willing to pay more for flights if the extra money supported carbon emission reductions.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of routes analyzed exceeded an individual's annual mobility carbon budget, with direct routes generally producing lower emissions. The researchers suggest selecting nonstop routes whenever possible to mitigate carbon footprint.
The Deep Carbon Observatory team estimates that only 0.02% of Earth's total carbon is above surface, while the rest is subsurface. Volcanic CO2 emissions are estimated to be 280-360 million tonnes per year, dwarfed by human-induced emissions.
The 'EZ Climate' model presents a new approach to carbon pricing, incorporating climate uncertainty into its framework. This approach suggests starting with high prices and adjusting them as uncertainty resolves, rather than the traditional low-and-increasing method.
Researchers found that submerging a polymer in water improves its CO2 filtering ability while slightly increasing selectivity. The process transformed the microstructure of the membrane in a low-cost and non-toxic manner.
A four-year research project aims to deliver safe and reliable carbon dioxide removal by injecting CO2 into ocean basalt, where it will mineralize and remain permanently as rock. The project combines state-of-the-art technologies in a way that has never been conceived before.
According to a new paper by OSU professor Jane Lubchenco, ocean-based activities have significant potential to help reach the 1.5-degree Celsius target by 2050. The report analyzes five categories of ocean-based solutions to reduce emissions, including renewable energy and protecting marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that methane from natural gas wells and offshore oil rigs is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Controlling these emissions can have a rapid impact on climate change, with the half-life of methane in the atmosphere being just over a decade.
A computational model using AI identifies optimal hydropower dam sites in the Amazon basin to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis found that dams built at high elevations tend to have lower emissions per unit of power output.
A new proposal suggests shifting focus from long-term targets to shorter timeframes to limit warming and make climate strategies more fair and equitable for future generations. The research recommends prioritizing net zero carbon emissions by mid-century to stabilize warming and then deciding on additional reductions.
Researchers suggest a bolder approach to safeguarding coral reefs by focusing on land as well as the ocean. Implementing strategies like renewable energy, aquaculture, and restoring vegetation can reduce global emissions and enhance people's livelihoods. Current approaches to coral reef conservation are failing, and addressing the root...
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that reducing fossil fuel emissions gradually will prevent a sudden spike in warming, instead leading to a decrease in warming rates within two decades. This approach also reduces the rate of further greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere, slowing down future warming.
A new study proposes a novel scenario framework for climate policy, focusing on capping global warming at a maximum level with either temperature stabilization or reversal. This approach addresses the limitations of current scenarios, which prioritize reaching specific climate goals in 2100 over long-term negative effects.
A new electrochemical process can decarbonate calcium carbonate to form alite and release hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide streams. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate cement industry greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 for sequestration or power generation.
Researchers developed a biochar technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from soils and prevent soil degradation. The innovative method uses chicken dung and agricultural waste to produce biochar, which slows down humus mineralization and stalls CO2 emission.
SUNCAT researchers have made significant breakthroughs in converting CO2 into chemicals, fuels, and plastics using electrochemical reduction. By increasing the surface area of copper-based catalysts, they've improved selectivity and efficiency, offering a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Soviet Union's collapse led to a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions due to decreased meat consumption and abandonment of cultivated land. This resulted in a reduction of around 7.61 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from 1992 to 2001.
A study by Dr. Sebastian Jäckle found that conference attendees emit between 0.5-1.5 tons of CO2 per three-day meeting, with plane travel being the worst option. By choosing central venues and video transmission, emissions can be reduced by up to 85%.
A new study by Imperial College London researchers shows that carbon taxes are insufficient to reduce emissions enough to meet the Paris Agreement targets. The study recommends incentivizing strategies that remove CO2 from the atmosphere alongside carbon taxes.
A new study published in Joule finds that taxing carbon emissions would lead to improved energy efficiency, with potential reductions of up to 30% in energy usage by 2100. This innovation could motivate people to develop more efficient ways to use energy, making it easier to solve the climate problem.
Researchers use integrated exploration tools to detect multiple hydrothermal feed zones in Lake Ngozi, Tanzania, by combining bathymetry, thermal mapping and gas emission measurements. The approach provides spatial information on the location of hydrothermal vents, their abundance and current state of activity.
A new study reveals that phosphorus-deficient soils reduced projected carbon dioxide uptake by 50% in the Amazon compared to current estimates. The Amazon Basin plays a critical role in mitigating climate change, but outdated assumptions have been used in models, leading to inaccurate predictions.
Researchers suggest that reaching an 80% reduction in building CO2 emissions by 2050 requires highly energy-efficient technologies, new operational approaches, and electrification of fossil fuel-based systems. The study identifies two promising avenues for reducing emissions: energy-saving retrofits and smart software optimization.
A satellite study found that a region in northern tropical Africa emits between 1 and 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon annually, comparable to the emissions of 200 million cars. The research uses data from two NASA satellites and improves understanding of greenhouse gas sources.
Research suggests reusing oil rigs as CO2 storage sites could be 10 times cheaper than decommissioning. This scheme would store natural gas production emissions and help combat climate change by locking away CO2.
A new study by TUM researchers suggests that rainforest growth limits are being tested due to insufficient phosphorus. Trees can only absorb additional carbon dioxide if phosphorous is available, leading to a potential 50% decrease in CO2 absorption under increased atmospheric pressure.
Research suggests that wildfires can effectively 'lock away' carbon for years to come through the production of pyrogenic carbon, or charcoal. This process helps compensate for carbon emissions from fires and could provide a significant buffer against future climate change.
Airships could increase the feasibility of a 100% sustainable world by reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The study proposes using airships to transport cargo and hydrogen, leveraging the jet stream for energy and reducing the need for liquefaction.
Scientists at ETH Zurich developed a new catalyst technology converting CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. The approach has significant potential to close the carbon cycle and produce sustainable methanol on an industrial scale.
Scientists at EPFL Valais Wallis have developed high-performance membranes for carbon capture that surpass post-combustion capture targets. The membranes, based on single-layer graphene with selective layers, show six-fold higher CO2 permeance and high separation factors.