Research on carbon emissions and cutting them. Covers satellite emission tracking, workplace diets, CO2 testing, and low-carbon cement.
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.
Scientists discovered that earthworms efficiently process rice straw, increasing its fertility and preventing the burning of crop residues. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health, making it a more sustainable alternative to current practices.
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.
Recent studies found that dry inland waters play a significant role in the global carbon cycle, emitting around 0.2 gigatonnes of CO2 annually. Freshwaters also act as carbon sinks when water levels are high, but emit gases when they dry out. The team suggests reservoirs as potential targets for reducing CO2 emissions from inland waters.
Researchers have created a Hybrid Na-CO2 system that efficiently produces electricity and hydrogen from CO2, eliminating carbon emissions. The system achieves high conversion efficiency of 50% and demonstrates stability for over 1,000 hours.
Scientists calculate that an area the size of Germany could suffice for artificial photosynthesis to remove 10 gigatonnes of CO2 per year. This technology could potentially balance climate carbon budget and reduce emissions. However, large investments in research and development are required to make it a reality.
A Rutgers-led study found that extending pavement life through preventive maintenance can reduce greenhouse gases, save energy, and cut transportation agency spending. The research used the LTPP database to measure the environmental impact of roadway repairs on carbon dioxide emissions linked to global warming.
New evaluation tools and global climate models will enable a more complete comparison of models to ground-based and satellite measurements. This combination can significantly reduce uncertainties in key aspects of future climate change, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change.
A new study from Stanford University finds that droughts cause a 10% increase in carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington between 2001 and 2015. Drought-induced shifts in energy sources led to an additional 100 million tons of carbon dioxide across 11 western states.
New research finds that ocean acidification from carbon emissions can alter coho salmon's processing and response to smells, affecting their ability to detect predators and navigate. This study highlights the potential consequences of climate change on salmon populations.
Researchers found that changing agricultural practices and shifting diets away from meat and dairy products could reduce sector emissions by up to 50% by 2050. Dietary changes in overconsuming countries could contribute additional reductions of 23%, with the beef and dairy industries having high greenhouse gas intensities.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides a long view of what nine different world regions have contributed to climate change since 1900. The analysis shows that China's contribution will increase as it implements clean air standards, while North America remains the largest contributor.
A study found that China, Europe, and North America experienced periods of reduced cumulative radiative forcing due to offsetting warming and cooling emissions. The regions' future contributions to CRF are expected to be larger than their past contributions, with China potentially emerging as a major contributor.
Research from the University of Technology Sydney and Duke University found that consumers significantly underestimate the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with their food choices. Participants preferred items with lower carbon footprints when given clear information on labels.
A recent study by an international team of researchers found that soot from road traffic in emerging countries can reach high altitudes and contribute to global warming. The reduction of pollutants from diesel cars has a positive impact on both human health and climate protection.
A new international study published in Nature found that organic food production requires more land, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Organic peas and winter wheat have significantly larger climate impacts than their conventional counterparts.
Researchers found that diets in wealthy nations have far higher greenhouse gas consequences than typically calculated. Shifting to plant-based diets or careful management of grazing can reduce emissions by up to 70%. The study provides a 'carbon benefits index' to assess the impact of land use changes on climate change.
Researchers have identified hydrotalcites as capable of capturing CO2 in mine tailings, potentially improving carbon sequestration beneath the surface. The study found that these minerals can trap CO2 deeper into the tailings than carbonate minerals could, offering a new approach to reducing atmospheric emissions.
Researchers from NUST MISIS developed a new hybrid catalyst for carbon monoxide oxidation using hexagonal boron nitride and silver nanoparticles, achieving full conversion at 194 degrees Celsius. Increasing silver concentration may reduce the temperature further.
A University of Bonn study suggests that bioplastics may not be as environmentally friendly as thought, as increased production could lead to land use changes and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that even with a tax on conventional plastics, the benefits are temporary and offset by negative economic effects.
Global CO2 emissions are expected to reach 37.1 billion tonnes in 2018, with a solid growth in coal use for the second year in a row and sustained growth in oil and gas use. Emissions need to peak and rapidly decrease to address climate change.
Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach a record high of over 37 billion tons in 2018, driven by growing energy demand and non-fossil source emissions. Renewables have largely come online as add-ons to fossil fuels, but more needs to be done for them to displace fossil fuels.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that Sólheimajökull glacier releases up to 41 tonnes of methane daily during summer months, exceeding average methane loss from non-glacial rivers. This discovery highlights the potential for glaciers to be significant sources of methane in the atmosphere.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new catalyst using mineral pentlandite to convert carbon dioxide into valuable source materials. The catalyst's stability and ability to produce synthetic gas mixtures make it a promising approach to combat climate change.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggest that prioritizing fundamental human needs over economic growth could make it easier to reduce carbon emissions. They found that meeting subsistence and protection needs takes half of the global carbon budget, while leisure and identity take most of the other half.
A new study suggests that natural solutions in the US can equal a quarter of the nation's current net annual emissions, with increased reforestation being the largest means to achieve greater carbon storage. The study highlights various high-performing forest and land management practices to mitigate climate change.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers finds that high carbon emissions can lead to stock price depreciation and asset devaluation. Companies in emission-intensive sectors may experience fundamental devaluations in their stocks within 10 years, due to stricter environmental regulations and climate change risks.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness the power of purple phototrophic bacteria to recover valuable biofuels from organic waste in wastewater treatment plants. By using an electric current to optimize metabolic output, they can generate hydrogen gas with near-100% carbon recovery and minimal CO2 emissions.
A NUS study found that mangroves can capture more carbon than tropical rainforests, making them a key solution to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Coastal ecosystems like mangroves can store organic carbon in water-saturated soil, effectively mitigating climate change.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals clear seasonality of CO2 over Asia, varying with latitude, longitude, and altitude. The data shows a distinct depletion of CO2 concentration over South Asia to Southeast Asia in August to September, linked to the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone.
A recent study by Prof. Natalya Ketenci found that CO2 emissions in Russia increase along with economic growth, but only up to a certain threshold, after which they decrease. The study supports the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, suggesting that cleaner technologies can sustain economic development.
Researchers found that around half of the 'missing' global emissions of carbon tetrachloride originated from eastern China between 2009 and 2016. Emissions have not decreased despite the phase-out of production for emissive use in 2010, with some regions potentially increasing slightly since then.
A new study found that meat and dairy products are responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions from EU diets. Reducing consumption of these food groups can help mitigate climate change.
Researchers warn that geoengineering and alternative solutions like tree planting, biochar, and NETs (negative emissions technologies) won't be enough to meet climate goals. Emission cuts remain the only sure way to limit global warming to 1.5C or less.
Untreated sewage from New York City's CSO input turns local carbon sinks into greenhouse gas producers, with methane production enhanced over 100 times and carbon dioxide by twice the rate of control group samples. The study suggests that NYC's environmental impact extends to nearby undeveloped aquatic ecosystems.
A study of 6.5 million hectares of Brazilian Amazonia found that carbon losses from El Niño forest fires were three to four times greater than expected. The analysis showed that uncontrolled wildfires in understorey areas resulted in high immediate CO2 emissions.
Increasing job accessibility can reduce carbon emissions and social inequities, but tradeoffs between these outcomes exist. Low-income residents often lack benefits from increased job accessibility, exacerbating existing social and environmental disparities.
A new analysis warns that delaying efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions could result in substantial economic costs, potentially exceeding the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The study suggests that the remaining carbon budget for this goal is very small, requiring unprecedented scale and significant investment.
Researchers at UD are developing a solar-driven carbon dioxide utilization technology to produce chemicals and fuels without using fossil sources. The system aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing carbon-neutral solar electricity.
A proposed US carbon-capture network, funded by new tax credits, could capture up to 30 million metric tons of CO2 annually, doubling current global emissions reductions. The network would transfer captured CO2 from ethanol refineries in the Midwest to oilfields in Texas for enhanced oil recovery.
Researchers at the University of Delaware's Center for Catalytic Science and Technology have developed a novel two-step process to convert carbon dioxide into smaller molecules, increasing efficiency and producing ethylene and ethanol. The technology has the potential to drive chemical processes more affordably and environmentally-frie...
A new study estimates that the US is expected to suffer significant economic damage from climate change, with losses of around $50 per ton of carbon emissions. The study reveals that the US will pay approximately $250 billion annually due to its high level of CO2 emissions, outpacing other major economies like India and Saudi Arabia.
A new type of battery developed by MIT researchers can convert carbon dioxide into a solid mineral carbonate as it discharges. This approach could potentially reduce the cost of carbon capture systems and make them more economically viable. The battery is made from lithium metal, carbon, and an electrolyte that incorporates captured CO2.