Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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 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 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 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.
A Drexel University study suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Rocky Mountain region can save hundreds of lives and billions of dollars. The research predicts that fees on energy producers will lead to a reduction in ozone levels, resulting in improved health outcomes.
Research from the University of Notre Dame finds that private, independent firms have lower carbon emissions and incur fewer EPA penalties than public and private equity-owned firms. The study suggests that increased oversight within public firms may decrease pollution.
Researchers found that sensitive climate models were more likely to experience short periods of cooling and display larger variations in warming over a decade. The study suggests that climate sensitivity plays a crucial role in understanding global warming trends and the potential for hyperwarming scenarios.
Researchers from IIASA and colleagues provide a new tool to clearly communicate insights about carbon budgets, making it easier for policymakers to understand changes in the remaining carbon budget. The study defines the size of the remaining carbon budget by five main factors, including warming expected per ton of CO2 emission.
A new study reveals that carbon budgets for limiting warming to 1.5°C are more uncertain than thought, with underestimated Earth system feedbacks such as permafrost thawing potentially reducing remaining budgets by 100 GtCO2. The research highlights the importance of considering these factors in climate policy-making.
A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.
Researchers measured VOC emissions from polyurethane mattresses under simulated sleeping conditions, finding elevated levels of some compounds that could cause eye irritation, headaches, and even cancer. The study emphasizes the need for further research on possible health effects of chronic exposure to VOCs.
Researchers have discovered that pea gin can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and fossil energy consumption. By using peas instead of wheat grain, distilleries can produce carbon-neutral gins with minimal environmental impact.
A new study by the Crowther Lab suggests that global forest restoration could capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions. The study found that there is potential to increase the world's forest land by a third without affecting cities or agriculture, with forests capable of storing 205 billion tonnes of carbon once mature.
A UCI-led study finds that 'committed' carbon dioxide emissions from existing infrastructure could reach up to 658 gigatons of CO2 if not phased out. This would jeopardize international climate goals set by the Paris accords unless drastic measures are taken.
Studies suggest that harvested wood products can store up to 441 megatons of CO2 per year by 2030. However, their net carbon sink value is threatened by global emissions and economic fluctuations that can turn them into a source of emissions.
Research finds that wood products globally mitigate only 1% of annual carbon emissions, but countries with large timber industries like Sweden can offset up to 9%. Wood product carbon sequestration is sensitive to economic conditions, and the current UN guidelines create a gap in accounting for uncounted carbon.
The study finds that existing power plants and energy infrastructure will release significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere if not retired early, posing a threat to the 1.5-degree Celsius climate goal. However, the world can still meet the 2-degree goal without early retirement if new fossil fuel sources are not built.
A new study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics suggests that the climate impact of contrail cirrus, formed from airplane contrails, will triple by 2050. The radiative forcing caused by contrail cirrus will be larger than expected CO2 emissions due to increased air traffic activity.
Researchers at NIST have designed new probes for sensing emission flow rates and developed a measurement method that could potentially improve the accuracy and speed of smokestack emissions audits. The fieldwork results were promising, showing reasonable agreement with laboratory findings.
A new study found that post-Soviet changes in food systems resulted in a net emissions reduction of 7.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1991 to 2011. This decrease was mainly due to the decline in domestic livestock production and soil organic carbon sequestration on abandoned cropland, particularly in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Researchers studied ocean's carbon cycle to improve climate models and predict future changes. They found the ocean absorbs CO2 slower in the 1990s but faster in the 2000s, influencing atmospheric accumulation rates.
Researchers at University at Buffalo are developing a new membrane technology to separate carbon dioxide from other gases, which could help reduce emissions in industries such as cement and steel production. The goal is to create a cost-effective solution that captures up to 90% of CO2 from power plant emissions.
A recent study by Technical University of Munich analyzed hardware manufacturers' IPO filings and Bitcoin mining IP addresses to calculate the cryptocurrency's carbon footprint. The research team found that the energy consumption associated with Bitcoin use is real and comparable to cities like Hamburg and Las Vegas.