Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
Researchers created an empirical energy consumption model to estimate Bitcoin's power consumption and associated carbon emissions. The study found that Bitcoin's carbon footprint measures up to that of Kansas City, contributing to global climate change concerns.
A new review finds that agriculture and food systems must undergo significant changes to limit warming to 2 degrees C. Efforts should focus on reducing emissions from agriculture, food loss and waste, and meat and dairy production, while supporting smallholder farmers through climate-smart agriculture and social safety nets.
Researchers Mark Lawrence and Stefan Schäfer of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) warn that the Paris Climate Agreement's centralized approach to addressing global warming has failed. They argue that a more democratic engagement is necessary to reanimate global climate politics.
Scientists have demonstrated that CO2 can outperform water as a fracking fluid, creating complex networks of fractures with significantly higher stimulated volumes. This technology has the potential to make fracking more efficient and reduce its environmental impact.
A study reveals that substituting diesel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) in São Paulo can reduce fuel costs by up to 40% and greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2%. LNG is found to be a more environmentally friendly option, with lower emissions of CO2-eq, CH4, and N2O.
Researchers dismiss green growth policies due to limited emissions reductions under optimistic conditions. Degrowth strategies are necessary to achieve safe thresholds, with global GDP growth slowing to less than 0.5% required for 1.5C targets.
A study examines ocean carbon sinks over two decades, finding they may account for 10-40% of atmospheric CO2 buildup. Current carbon cycle models underestimate sensitivity to climate variability, suggesting inaccurate global carbon budget predictions.
A new Stanford study finds that companies claiming 100% renewable energy don't necessarily reduce carbon emissions by 100%. Hourly accounting methods show wind power produces more emissions reductions than solar power in California. The study highlights the need for hourly data to measure environmental benefits accurately.
Researchers investigated emissions from waterpipes using electrical heating elements (EHEs) and charcoal, finding that EHEs reduced some toxicants but increased others. Emissions of acrolein, a highly reactive irritant, were several orders of magnitude higher with EHE use compared to charcoal.
Research found that photosynthesis has increased nearly in constant proportion to rising atmospheric CO2 since the industrial era. Plants are working hard to mitigate climate change by absorbing CO2.
A new climate policy model debuts in Nature Communications, finding that reducing carbon emissions is economically sound due to immediate human health benefits. The study supports the Paris Climate Agreement targets and suggests a target of 2 degrees Celsius is defensible if health benefits are included.
Scientists at KIT and UoT have proposed a method to produce synthetic fuels from CO2 and water using compact plants in buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 'crowd oil' concept could replace significant fossil fuel usage for mobility, with potential CO2 savings of up to 30% of Germany's kerosene demand.
A University of Oklahoma-led study found that explosive volcanic eruptions were more frequent during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age and helped keep large ice sheets stable by blocking sunlight. The research suggests that lessons from this period can inform strategies to mitigate climate change, including stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.
A new analysis suggests that eliminating emissions from dirty household fuels like wood, dung, coal, and kerosene could bring India's outdoor air pollution levels below the country's standard. This could reduce air pollution-related deaths by approximately 13% and save around 270,000 lives annually.
A North Carolina State University study finds that compressed wood pellet-fed stoves reduce air pollution by about 90% for a range of contaminants associated with health problems and climate change. The stoves performed well in real-world conditions, with drastic cuts in pollutant emissions.
Scientists warn of ocean acidification's impact on marine life, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss due to rising CO2 levels, threatening ecosystem services and human livelihoods.
China's regional pollution policies are causing unintended spillover effects, increasing air and water pollution in neighboring provinces. The models project a significant increase in pollutants, carbon dioxide emissions, and water consumption outside the capital cities.
Scientists have created amorphous softmagnetic alloys with high magnetic properties, technological plasticity, and ultrahigh strength. The new iron-based alloys surpass common industrial analogues in terms of their properties, offering relatively low cost and simplicity of industrial production.
Two new studies warn that countries like the US, China, and EU will struggle to meet their emissions targets without significant reductions. The research suggests that even if these high-emitting countries strengthen their commitments, other nations would need to achieve near-zero emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degree...
University of Illinois researchers have developed a new electrolysis technology that uses glycerol to reduce the energy consumption of converting CO2 waste into valuable resources. The process reduces energy requirements by 53% and has potential for carbon neutrality or negativity, depending on grid setup.
Researchers from University of East Anglia discovered a protein called NosL that helps assemble the copper-sulfide cluster active site in nitrogenase reductase, an enzyme that destroys N2O. The team's findings may help pave the way for strategies to mitigate the damaging effects of nitrous oxide on the environment.
Researcher Nadine Mengis investigates climate engineering methods' impact on interconnected variables, including solar radiation management and ocean alkalinity enhancement. Her study highlights the need for a holistic approach to understanding these projects' effects.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have conducted the first global assessment of plastic's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, finding that current strategies are insufficient to curb emissions. Recycling and replacing fossil-based energy with renewable sources offer promising solutions, but significant reductions will require unpreceden...
Researchers found that crop residue ratios over 35% enable CBECCS systems to produce electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions. This technology helps reduce air pollution and offers a carbon-negative alternative for electricity generation.
A government-run program in the Brazilian Amazon distributes revenue from carbon credits to rural laborers and family farmers, creating an inclusive green economy. The program's benefits include expanded social welfare initiatives and potential to prevent deforestation, but also raises concerns about land power and potential risks.
A study analyzing air samples from the Amazon rainforest and polluted areas found that human activity increases the production of climate-changing particles by 60-200% compared to natural forest carbon. The researchers developed an advanced computer model to simulate chemical reactions, improving predictive abilities.
Climate change is causing retrogressive thaw slumps to form on Banks Island, leading to a 60-fold increase in landslides since the 1980s. The impact on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations is unknown due to lack of baseline data.
New research by UCL and University of Edinburgh scientists reveals that many countries' forest restoration pledges are insufficient to meet global climate goals. Restoring natural forests is shown to capture more carbon than plantations or agroforestry, with potential to remove 42 billion tonnes of carbon by 2100.
A new European study suggests that individuals can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making voluntary lifestyle changes, such as eating less meat and using fewer cars. However, the authors argue that these changes alone are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C, highligh...
Two new studies reveal that a sixth of EU citizens' typical diet-related emissions can be directly linked to tropical forest deforestation. The research highlights the need for stricter regulations on food imports and alternative production methods.
A University of Washington-led study reveals that declining nitrogen oxides due to tightened standards can lead to cleaner air, but the process may take longer. The research found that NOx affects the formation of PM2.5 by changing the chemistry of hydrocarbon vapors.
A recent study at the University of Illinois examined the energy lifecycle of fuel/battery configurations to yield greatest reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The most feasible configuration was a propulsion system with 50% electrical-power drivetrain, estimated to produce 49.6% less lifecycle CO2 emissions.
A team of scientists has developed a way to improve the tolerance of industrial oil-producing microalgae to high levels of CO2, allowing them to grow faster and more efficiently in flue gas environments. This breakthrough could have significant implications for carbon fixation, food production, and future space exploration.
Scientists in China have developed a process to convert plant waste into high-density aviation fuel, reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes. The biofuel has higher density than conventional fuels, allowing aircraft to fly farther and carry more.
Researchers found that alpine tundra in Colorado's Front Range emits more CO2 than it captures annually, potentially creating a feedback loop. The study suggests higher-than-expected year-round microbial activity, even without deep insulating snowpack, and may liberate decades-to-centuries-old carbon from the landscape.
A new study forecasts that ocean acidification will reduce the depth at which some shelled organisms can survive to just 83 meters by 2100. This drastic reduction in viable habitat could impact marine food webs significantly and lead to cascading changes across ocean ecosystems.
A study by University of Pennsylvania sociologists found that high-income residents moving into tech-enabled neighborhoods increase carbon emissions, displacing low-income populations. The research highlights the need for affordable housing and sustainable planning to counteract gentrification's negative effects.
Computational study simulates CO2 reacting with rock surfaces to form carbonate minerals, revealing a stable method of long-term carbon storage. The findings suggest that 'mineral trapping' can be used for carbon storage and provide insights into the chemistry of CO2 mineralization.
Negative-emission technologies (NETs) that capture carbon dioxide from the air could address about 30% of needed reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions. Scientists estimate that NETs face challenges on cost-effectiveness and disposal methods.
A study by Stockholm University reveals that biomass burning from neighboring regions exceeds fossil fuel emissions in New Delhi during the fall and winter. The researchers found high levels of black carbon aerosols in the city, posing a significant threat to human health.
Researchers have developed a new technique that can efficiently convert CO2 from gas into solid particles of carbon at room temperature. This breakthrough could transform our approach to carbon capture and storage, offering a more sustainable alternative to current technologies.
Researchers used landscape models to examine the interaction between climate, vegetation, and prior fires on area burned. They found that the fuel limitation effect from prior fire events doesn't last long and is not as large as expected, moderating only a 7.5% reduction in cumulative area burned over the century.
A new study suggests that high CO2 levels above 1,200 ppm could lead to the loss of low-level clouds, resulting in a 8-Kelvin temperature increase globally. The researchers used a small-scale model to simulate cloud instability and found that once the clouds vanish, they do not reappear until CO2 levels drop significantly.
Research led by University of East Anglia finds that policies supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency are helping reduce CO2 emissions in 18 developed economies. The study suggests that these efforts need to be expanded and enhanced to limit climate change.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a carbon dioxide scrubber that converts captured CO2 into oxalic acid, a naturally occurring chemical used in the processing of rare earth elements. The technology has shown promising results, reducing emissions to below two percent and demonstrating potential for US produ...
A Washington State University team is developing an ultra-high performance cementitious composite grout to encapsulate solid secondary waste at the Hanford Site. The grout uses industrial byproducts like coal ash and steel slag to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Scientists warn that human carbon emissions could match those of the last major greenhouse warming event in fewer than five generations. If current trends continue, Earth's atmosphere could reach PETM-like carbon levels as early as 2159.
A new study from the Oxford Martin School suggests that lab-grown meat production may have detrimental long-term consequences on the climate if it relies on high-carbon energy. The researchers found that while reducing methane emissions is crucial, replacing it with carbon dioxide could lead to increased global temperatures.
Dr. Ana C. Alba-Rubio creates a dual-function material that captures and transforms carbon dioxide into methanol and higher alcohols, producing electricity with minimal energy requirement, corrosion, and transportation issues.
Researchers used small satellites to observe changes in 85,000 North American lakes over summer 2017, finding significant shoreline fluctuations that add up to hundreds of square kilometers. These findings could impact calculations of natural greenhouse gas emissions from these northern lakes.
Researchers at the Research Center for Gas Innovation are developing a carbon capture storage system that can separate CO2 and methane in oil and gas exploration. The technology involves injecting CO2 and CH4 into salt caverns, with the potential to produce clean energy from fossil fuels.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Edson Severnini found that environmental regulations aimed at preserving ecosystems may have encouraged the substitution of dirtier fuels for hydropower in electricity generation. The study estimates that each megawatt of fossil fuel power-generating capacity added to the grid due to...
Researchers estimate carbon emissions from farmland reclamation in China over the past 300 years, with vegetation emissions ranging from 1.58 Pg and soil emissions from 1.35 to 4.03 Pg. Carbon emissions vary greatly across ecosystems, with forests releasing the most and deserts acting as carbon sinks.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a process to scrub CO2 from coal-burning power plant emissions using an organic sorbent similar to soda lime. This alternative technology requires 24% less energy and can be regenerated at lower temperatures, making it more cost-effective for carbon capture.
A new study reveals that marine fishing vessels release almost as much CO2 as 51 coal-fired power plants, with a total of 207-million tonnes emitted in 2016. The researchers found that the industry's reliance on fossil fuel and lack of policy management has led to a significant increase in emissions.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that cattle urine releases more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, when spilled on degraded land compared to healthy pasture. Land restoration and conservation efforts can mitigate this impact by improving forage grasses, rotational grazing, and adding shrubs and trees.
A recent study confirms that carbon dioxide can be securely stored in underground rocks even when geological faults are present. The research found minimal possibility of gas escaping from fault lines back into the atmosphere.
A new study found that diets with lower carbon footprints are also healthier, consuming more poultry, whole grains, and plant-based proteins. Diets in the lowest-impact group had lower amounts of important nutrients, such as iron and calcium, due to lower intakes of meat and dairy.
Scientists propose using high-tech coatings that can retain air for weeks to reduce drag and fuel consumption of ships. This technology has the potential to save up to 20% of fuel and reduce global CO2 emissions by almost one percent.