Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
Scientists at NIST have developed a laboratory instrument that can measure the source of carbon in materials, enabling new applications in biofuels and bioplastics industries. The instrument uses cavity ringdown spectroscopy to detect subtle differences in CO2 wavelengths, allowing for accurate measurement of heavy CO2 concentrations.
A modeling study reveals a shift in plant leaf traits, leading to more efficient water use by plants. The carbon isotopic ratio of atmospheric CO2 decreases slower than predicted, indicating this adaptation.
A study by George Washington University researchers found that air pollution and coal-fired power plants were the subject of most cases, while renewable energy and energy efficiency saw pro-regulation plaintiffs win more than twice as frequently. Courts are expected to play a significant role in shaping climate policy in the US.
Expert John Deutch argues that the US can't lower carbon emissions while growing the economy due to the Kaya Identity model. He suggests planned reductions won't be enough to avoid climate change's impact.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that fuel economy standards are not as difficult to meet as previously believed, with potential benefits including lower costs for consumers and automakers. The research also suggests that slightly slower acceleration times can significantly reduce overall emissions.
A new study suggests that the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was caused by volcanic carbon emissions, resulting in a rapid doubling of atmospheric CO2. The event, which lasted around 150 thousand years, saw global temperatures increase by at least 5oC.
A study led by Argonne National Laboratory found that waste-to-energy production pathways generate less greenhouse gases than decomposing organic waste. Researchers suggest diverting waste to energy can avoid landfill emissions and promote energy independence.
A new study shows the Montreal Protocol significantly reduced US greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 to 2014, equivalent to 170 million tons of CO2 annually. The treaty's impact on climate-altering gases was a major side benefit of reducing ozone-depleting substances.
A new University of Washington study using statistical tools shows only a 5 percent chance that Earth will warm 2 degrees or less by the end of this century. The study suggests major, sustained effort on all fronts over the next 80 years is needed to achieve the goal of limiting warming to 2 degrees.
Researchers found that two more degrees of warming are already committed to by past emissions, regardless of current efforts. Even if all fossil fuel emissions stopped, warming would still reach about 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.
Researchers found that using a true non-industrially influenced baseline could reduce the available carbon budget for meeting the 2°C warming limit. The study suggests that assuming a late 19th-century baseline may be underestimating the warming already taken place.
Researchers are investigating the secrets of sharks' ability to shed slime and biofilms, which could lead to sustainable anti-fouling coatings for ships. The study aims to develop new technologies inspired by nature to mitigate hull fouling and its impact on the environment.
A new study in Uganda found that payment programs to protect forests can be highly effective in reducing deforestation and mitigating global carbon emissions. The program, which offered modest payments to landowners for leaving trees intact, resulted in a 50% reduction in tree loss compared to a control group.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that paying people to conserve their trees could be a highly cost-effective way to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions. The program, known as Payments for Ecosystems, was found to have large impacts on forest cover in western Uganda.
The retirement of aging power plants will complicate achieving long-term carbon dioxide emission reduction targets and require significant capital investments. The study found that younger coal plants tend to retire earlier than older ones, creating an imbalance in investment emphasis between generating capacity and emissions reductions.
Researchers create interactive maps to help EU cities track and cut carbon emissions, revealing that wealthier individuals and fashion contribute to larger footprints. The study also finds regional differences in emissions linked to geography and food consumption.
A new study by James Hansen's team estimates that to limit global warming, we need negative emissions through technologies like carbon capture. If emissions continue high, young people may have to spend up to 500 trillion euros on CO2 extraction, but rapid phase-down of fossil fuels can achieve this at relatively low cost.
A new Stanford study reveals that as super-giant oilfields age, the energy required to operate them increases, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers developed a software tool to accurately calculate these emissions, finding that some oilfields see a doubling of emissions per barrel over a 25-year operating period.
A new study from Lund University found that four actions have the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel, living car-free, and having smaller families. These actions can save up to 2.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to reconcile temperature estimates from global climate models and paleoclimate records. They found that higher temperature ranges, up to 6 degrees Celsius, may be possible when long-term warming patterns are considered.
The AAS Special Issue on the Chinese Carbon Budget Program presents research on accurate estimation of national GHG emissions, terrestrial carbon budget, and potential for increasing carbon sinks. Eight papers cover various topics, including aerosols, airborne observations, and CO2 monitoring from space.
Comet 174P/Echeclus, part of the centaur population, exhibits unusual emission activity despite low temperatures, suggesting it may be more fragile than other comets. The study provides insights into comet composition and formation, potentially shedding light on the origins of life.
A new Rutgers University study projects that climate change will make the US poorer and more unequal, with severe costs for poor regions. The poorest counties could lose up to 20% of their income if warming proceeds unabated.
A coalition of over 60 scientists, business leaders, and policymakers urge swift climate action by 2020 to avoid devastating consequences. The authors propose six milestones for a clean industrial revolution, including renewable energy targets and electric vehicle incentives.
Researchers find that including an indirect land use change factor in biofuel policies leads to a relatively small reduction in emissions at a high economic cost. The inclusion of this factor imposes a hidden tax on all fuels, increasing their carbon emissions per gallon and fuel prices for consumers.
Researchers have developed an efficient catalyst that converts CO2 from the air into synthetic natural gas in a 'clean' process using solar energy. The catalyst produces almost pure methane without side products and operates at mild temperatures, making it viable for industrial activities.
A study published in Nature Climate Change warns that 74% of the world's population will face deadly heatwaves by 2100 if current emissions continue. Researchers found a common threshold beyond which temperatures and humidities become lethal, with tropical areas projected to bear the greatest risk.
Researchers found clear links between volcanic activity and the end-Triassic mass extinction. The study revealed repeated large emissions of carbon dioxide from volcanoes, which led to a profound impact on the global climate.
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that varying diet formulation and pasture management can significantly affect greenhouse gas emissions on organic dairy farms. The researchers identified four feeding strategies, with diets featuring more soybeans resulting in lower nitrous oxide emissions.
A recent study by Seth Werfel at Stanford University found that people who report taking personal energy-saving actions are less likely to support government efforts to address environmental issues. This effect occurs regardless of political ideology and may have implications for other issues as well.
Researchers found that a new type of nitrogen fertilizer, SuperU, can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated crops by up to 53% compared to traditional granular urea. However, the effect depends on crop rotation, with yields remaining unaffected when used in corn production.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a technology to obtain liquid fuel from coal wastes for thermal power stations, reducing anthropogenic emissions and disposing of waste efficiently. The new fuel composition shows lower sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions when burned compared to traditional coals.
A new study by Concordia economics professor Ian Irvine reveals that electric vehicle (EV) subsidies could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The subsidies encourage the production of more EVs but undermine efficiency requirements for conventional vehicles, resulting in a zero or negative near-term GHG benefit.
The current National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement have critical consequences for achieving the goal of keeping warming well below 2°C. The study finds that these pledges leave out key details, leading to a range of emissions outcomes with varying degrees of uncertainty.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a surprising source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The team found that large soil pores create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria to produce nitrous oxide.
Researchers have discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a significant source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, led by Michigan State University, found that leaf particles create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria that produce nitrous oxide.
A new study quantifies CO2 emissions from Sydney Harbour for the first time, finding 1000 tonnes annually, equivalent to 200 cars. The research also reveals that during periods of high rainfall, the harbour becomes a carbon sink.
Researchers have developed a new composite catalyst that reduces the use of rare earth elements, such as Cerium, in catalytic converters. The catalyst showed improved oxygen storage and release capabilities compared to traditional catalysts, providing better buffering effects during fuel-rich and lean exhaust conditions.
Researchers dated flood basalts to confirm magmatic activity coincided with mass extinction, linking CO2 release and climate change to species disappearance.
A WSU study reveals that US consumers are interested in using more renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, with many willing to shift their appliance usage to achieve this goal. The researchers propose developing an app prototype to monitor electricity sources in real-time, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
A recent study found that permafrost thaw in northern peatlands can lead to a five-fold increase in nitrous oxide emissions. The emission rates matched those from tropical forest soils, highlighting the significant impact of Arctic warming on the global N2O budget.
A team of physicists has implemented a new measurement method that reveals traffic is the major polluter of nitrogen oxide emissions in European cities, accounting for over 80% of emissions. The study's findings highlight the need for revised atmospheric models and air quality management strategies to address the underestimated emissions.
A University of Washington study questions the natural thermostat related to rock weathering, suggesting a weaker link between temperature and chemical weathering rates. Researchers suggest alternative mechanisms controlling weathering, such as land exposure and surface steepness, may be more significant.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a spatially adaptive broadcast system that enables broadcasters to adapt their geographical coverage in real-time, reducing energy consumption by up to 35%. This technology has the potential to improve the energy efficiency of wireless and broadcast networks.
A positive phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation could accelerate global warming, potentially pushing temperatures above 1.5°C as early as 2026. According to new research, this natural climate driver would likely produce a sharp acceleration in global warming over the next decade.
A new analysis by an international research panel suggests that reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like methane and black carbon could yield major health benefits and slow global warming over the next 25 years. Curbing these emissions would also provide substantial benefits for investing in sustainable development.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology shows that air conditioning increases air pollution by hundreds to thousands of metric tons, particularly sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, with a 3-4% increase per degree Celsius rise in temperature
An analysis of 27 US states found that summer temperature increases lead to higher electricity-related emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). States with more coal power plants, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, released the most SO2 emissions.
Researchers have successfully developed a high-efficient, stable, and multifunctional Na-Fe3O4/HZSM-5 catalyst for direct production of gasoline from CO2 hydrogenation. The catalyst exhibited 78% selectivity to C5-C11 hydrocarbons under industrial conditions.
Researchers at Clemson University are working on a technology to improve gasoline direct injection engines' cleanliness, reducing hazardous fine-particle emissions. The team aims to develop engine-control strategies that work together with filters and three-way catalysts to minimize particulate emissions.
To meet the 1.5C target, global carbon emissions need to be reduced to less than 25% of energy supply by 2100 and land use change must decrease. A new study suggests that a high-renewable energy scenario could peak emissions as early as 2022.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to estimate nitrous oxide emissions from waterways based on stream size, land use, biome type, and climatic conditions. The study found that N2O emissions increase with river size and are dependent on human activity and environmental drivers.
A Boston College study links income inequality to rising carbon emissions at the state level, with top 10% of population driving growth. States like California and Texas experience significant increases in emissions, while South Carolina sees minimal growth.
New research confirms that global photosynthesis is stable for hundreds of years before industrial revolution, but grows rapidly with increased CO2 levels. The findings affirm estimates used in climate change models and suggest that nature's brakes are not enough to counter human emissions.
Research at UC Merced found a chemical record of global photosynthesis spanning hundreds of years, indicating a significant increase in plant growth since the industrial revolution. The findings suggest that rising atmospheric CO2 levels and climate change may be driving this trend.
A new study reveals that tropical forest fragmentation leads to increased carbon emissions by a third, with edges releasing more CO2 due to unfavourable micro-climates. Researchers used satellite images and developed software to map forest fragments worldwide.
A study found that the carbon footprint of acquisitive and violent crime dropped from 7 million tonnes CO2e in 1995 to below 3 million tonnes CO2e by 2015. This represents a cumulative reduction of 54 million tonnes CO2e over this period, alongside a 30% decrease in crime.
A team of experts presents exceptional photographs documenting the loss of ice across Earth's surface. The images showcase the devastating effects of climate change on glaciers, a consequence of anthropogenic carbon emissions. GSA Today article highlights the urgent need for action to address this issue.
Researchers developed an online tool analyzing 21 years of night-time lights data to correlate with socio-economic factors, finding strong relationships between GDP and electricity consumption. The study also found inverse correlations between light brightness and poverty, providing insights into human activities at a global scale.
A global 'carbon law' aims to halve carbon emissions every decade, peaking by 2020 and falling to zero by 2050. The roadmap also calls for rapid adoption of renewable energy, carbon removal technologies, and sustainable agriculture practices to achieve this goal.