Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A new study by a team of American geophysicists found that Antarctica warmed about 11 degrees Celsius between 20,000 and 10,000 years ago, 2 to 3 times the average temperature increase worldwide. The disparity highlights the amplification of warming at poles consistent with today's climate change models.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology aim to develop cement substitute from steel slag, a massive CO2-reduction opportunity. The new cement has potential to replace 'normal cement' and reduce emissions by tens of millions of tons annually.
A new study predicts that global warming will drive the loss of at least 55 trillion kilograms of carbon from soils by mid-century, more than double projected human-related emissions. This loss is expected to be greatest in high latitudes, where cold conditions have allowed massive carbon stocks to build up over thousands of years.
Research warns that hurricanes are moving further north along the Northeast US coast, posing a greater threat to cities like New York. The study suggests that man-made emissions have overridden natural cooling effects, leading to more frequent and powerful storms.
Researchers found that cement manufacturing emits significant CO2, but also gradually reabsorbs it through a process called carbonation, reducing its overall impact on climate change. Over 76 billion tons of cement were produced between 1930 and 2013, with an estimated 38.2 gigatons of CO2 released.
A recent study found enhanced nitrous oxide emissions in Arctic soils under field warming conditions, with hampered plant growth playing a key role. The study highlights the potential for even mild air warming to trigger greenhouse gas production at depth.
A new study reveals that cement materials absorb approximately one billion tons of atmospheric CO2 each year, offsetting 43% of CO2 emissions from cement production. The researchers found that mortar cement captured the most carbon, with concrete cement being the second largest contributor.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that carbon dioxide injected into basalt transformed into solid rock within two years. This process has the potential to permanently sequester large amounts of carbon on a global scale, offering a solution to reduce global emissions.
Global carbon emissions have shown almost no growth for three years, with a projected rise of only 0.2% in 2016. The slowdown is attributed to decreased coal use in China, which saw emissions decrease by 0.7% in 2015. However, the reduction is not enough to limit climate change below 2 degrees Celsius.
A new study calculates climate sensitivity using Earth's paleoclimate data, finding that warm climates are more sensitive to CO2 changes. The researchers project a 5.9°C warming by 2100, overlapping with IPCC estimates and emphasizing the need for immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Researchers have found that each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted contributes to the loss of 3 square metres of Arctic summer sea ice. This linear relationship reveals individual contributions to global climate change, surpassing previous estimates made by climate models.
Researchers developed a way to map environmental footprints to specific locations, connecting economic activity and global supply chains with environmental impacts. This innovation allows governments, companies, and individuals to identify areas where they can participate in reducing emissions and air pollution.
A new analysis reveals a direct correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and Arctic sea ice loss. The study suggests that reducing carbon emissions could slow the ongoing loss of summer ice and help achieve a 1.5°Celsius global warming target.
The study reveals that wastewater treatment plants emit an overlooked source of carbon dioxide, which could increase global greenhouse gas emissions by 12-23 percent. Treating wastewater sludge with on-site carbon sequestration and renewable energy could help reduce fossil carbon emissions from these plants.
The Colorado River delta's annual carbon cycle has changed dramatically due to poor water management, with fossil clam shells revealing vast amounts of carbon being added to the atmosphere. The reduced carbon emissions at the delta are vastly outweighed by the carbon emissions from transporting water to cities and farms.
A new study by the University of Missouri identifies effective ways for states to partner and share resources to boost renewable energy production through woody biomass. By working together, states can maximize energy output and reduce carbon emissions, providing policymakers with flexible options for meeting emission reduction targets.
A new Department of Energy-funded project will measure emissions from 80 compressor stations nationwide and more than 300 individual units. The study aims to develop a national model for methane emissions and inform future versions of the EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
A new method uses genetic algorithms to rapidly identify top materials for pre-combustion carbon capture. A variant of NOTT-101 has been found to have the highest capacity for capturing carbon and good selectivity, meeting the DOE's 90% CO2 removal target.
Leading health professionals call for drastic reductions in CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants to stabilize the climate and reduce major health threats. Reducing these pollutants can prevent up to 2.4 million premature deaths annually, they argue.
A recent study by British American Tobacco found that e-cigarette vapour contains toxicant levels on average 95% lower than conventional cigarette smoke. The study measured 142 compounds in e-cigarette vapour and found substantial reductions in toxicant groups, with most cigarette smoke toxicants undetectable.
A study published in Nature reveals that global plant photosynthesis will increase by about one-third when carbon dioxide doubles, affecting climate change. This increase is attributed to the seasonal cycle in carbon dioxide concentrations and its impact on photosynthesis.
A new large-scale analysis found that logged forests in Central Africa may contain nearly twice as much deadwood as unlogged forests, and up to 3.8 times more than previous estimates. This underestimation has broad implications for regional forestry practices and global carbon emissions.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers develop a model to forecast the impact of rising temperatures on lakes' carbon cycle, with potential implications for global warming. By analyzing 2,000 lakes across the US, they aim to understand how lakes will respond to changing weather patterns and emissions.
Air quality monitoring data from 2005-2014 reveals significant variability in London's road pollutants. Despite improvements, some areas continue to exceed EU limits for nitrogen dioxide levels; however, other pollutants like fine particulate matter and black carbon have seen notable decreases.
Researchers have received a grant to study ways of reducing fertilizer use in high-temperature agricultural regions. By modifying fertilization and irrigation practices, nitrogen losses to the atmosphere can be reduced by 50 percent.
A recent study challenges the assumption that biofuels are carbon neutral, finding a net increase in CO2 emissions from their use in the US. The research suggests that crop-based biofuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study from University of Michigan researchers found that biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel increase, rather than decrease, heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions. The study analyzed U.S. crop-production data and found that only 37% of the CO2 emissions due to biofuel combustion were offset by the CO2 uptake by crops.
A new method to quantify methane emissions from livestock manure has been proposed, addressing the significant problem of measuring greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The approach uses laboratory measurements and a simple model to calculate daily emissions and evaluate the effects of changes in management or treatment.
A new study found that plants adapt differently to elevated CO2 levels depending on the diversity of surrounding plant species. The research tested Kentucky bluegrasses exposed to high and low CO2 levels in different communities, revealing that adaptation benefits disappear when experiencing a change in neighborhood diversity.
The US government aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles by 80% by 2050, but current approaches may not be enough. NREL research suggests that a combination of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, vehicle connectivity, and automation could significantly reduce emissions.
A team of scientists has developed a new process using a novel ceramic membrane to convert methane to aromatics, eliminating CO2 emissions and reducing processing steps. The resulting chemicals are valuable products for insulation materials, plastics, textiles, and jet fuel.
Researchers at U of T have developed a technique to convert climate-warming carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, such as methanol and ethanol, by consuming the greenhouse gas. The breakthrough uses nanoneedles to catalyze the reaction, producing CO2 reduction faster than any catalyst previously reported.
Researchers studied the Carmel Formation's ability to store carbon dioxide, finding it provides a barrier-forming zone that traps CO2. The team used computer modeling and drilling to determine the formation's effectiveness in long-term storage.
Historical rates and patterns of tropical deforestation around the globe were used to estimate carbon emissions and species losses over time. Current emissions and extinctions are mostly tied to past actions.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that CO2 can be securely stored underground for at least 100,000 years, much longer than the 10,000 years required to avoid climate impacts. This finding has significant implications for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
A new study by UBC researchers reveals Montreal's low greenhouse gas emissions due to affordable hydropower and electric heating, while Edmonton's high emissions are attributed to extreme weather, low density, and coal reliance. The study also found a decline in average household GHG emissions across Canada from 1997 to 2009.
Scientists have developed a new approach to capture carbon dioxide from flue gases using waste marble powder, outperforming current commercial calcium-carbonate sorbents. The powder showed high carbonation conversion rates and maintained its reactivity over multiple cycles.
A new tool developed at PNNL estimates greenhouse gas and emission reductions from smart grid investments, providing insights for utilities and industry to justify investments. The Emissions Quantification Tool considers various factors, including electric vehicle charging schedules, battery-stored energy, and solar generation integrat...
A new study from University of Toronto researchers reveals that gasoline-direct injection (GDI) engines, touted for their fuel efficiency, may actually emit more climate-warming black carbon and toxic pollutants than conventional engines. The study found that GDI engines ranked in the 73rd percentile for black carbon emissions, while v...
Researchers have developed an inexpensive method to monitor CO2 storage deep underground. Testing water samples from rocks reveals altered oxygen compositions when in contact with trapped CO2, allowing simple measurement of stored CO2.
A University of Surrey study estimates the carbon footprint of crime in England and Wales, revealing burglaries contribute 30% to the total footprint. The study also found that reducing crime does not necessarily reduce carbon emissions, due to the 'rebound effect', where money spent on addressing crime is spent elsewhere.
Researchers at the University of York have developed a novel carbon capture technology called Starbons, which can absorb up to 65% more CO2 than existing methods. The materials are also highly selective and retain their absorption properties even in the presence of water.
Researchers found that plants associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi grow bigger in response to high CO2 levels, but those with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi do not. This study challenges the idea of a universal CO2 fertilization effect and highlights the importance of symbiotic fungi in plant growth.
Plants can grow faster with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels if they have enough nitrogen, according to a new study. Microbes, particularly fungi that partner with plants, are essential for this process.
A new analysis published in Nature finds that country pledges under the Paris Agreement would lead to a global temperature rise of 2.6-3.1°C by 2100, exceeding the 2°C limit. The study suggests that additional measures are necessary after 2030 to limit warming to 2°C or even 1.5°C.
A new study finds that converting forests into monoculture palm plantations will cause significant climate-warming carbon emissions. Converting just 11,500 hectares of forest could release 1.5 million metric tons of carbon, equivalent to small developing countries. However, these emissions can be offset over 25 years if development is ...
Indiana University chemists Steven Tait and Kenneth Caulton will develop new catalysts for molecular transformations using surface chemistry and metal-organic chemistry. Their goal is to convert environmentally harmful CO2 molecules into carbon-neutral plastics, building materials, and fuel.
A new study found that household use of coal and dirty fuels in households is a major contributor to Beijing's notorious air pollution. Eliminating these emissions could reduce particulate levels by up to 22%. Regional efforts are crucial to address this issue, as individual cities may not have control over surrounding regions.
Researchers reconstructed past global warming and estimated potential future warming using computer modeling. Climate sensitivity was higher during past global warm periods, amplifying the effect of greenhouse gas emissions.
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology found that burglary resulted in the largest proportion of total carbon footprint, accounting for 30% of emissions. The criminal justice system also accounted for a significant portion of emissions, highlighting the need to raise awareness about the environmental impact of crime.
A Swedish study investigates the feasibility of replacing nuclear power with wind power in Sweden's energy mix. The authors conclude that a backup system based on fossil fuels would be required to maintain constant emissions, leading to doubled CO2 levels.
Researchers analyzed 76 natural CO2 reservoirs worldwide to identify key criteria for effective storage. They found that sites with specific geological conditions, such as high pressure and density, are suitable for long-term storage.
A new study finds that sustained high or low oil prices could have a significant impact on future carbon dioxide emissions. The magnitude of the impact depends on various uncertainties, including energy supply and demand technologies, alternative resources, and climate policy.
The EU is investing €3 million in innovative aero-engine technologies to achieve a 75% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre by 2050. Radical new design concepts and technologies, such as composite engine cycles and heat recycling, are being explored to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Scientists predict a record increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration due to El Niño. The recent natural climate phenomenon has warmed and dried tropical ecosystems, reducing their ability to absorb CO2, and exacerbating forest fires.
A new study finds that US counties would receive significant health co-benefits from a power plant carbon standard, with the largest gains expected in the Northeast and Southwest regions. The estimated net benefits range from $1 million to $5.6 billion annually, outweighing costs of $1.5 to $3.6 billion.
Researchers highlight the importance of fire-adaptive communities in managing wildfires, which have successfully coexisted with flames for centuries. These communities use social institutions to balance individual benefits with preservation of the common good, offering valuable lessons for designing local fire management strategies.
A leading physician argues that family planning is highly cost-effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for voluntary family planning as a crucial strategy. Studies show that having one less child can reduce carbon legacy by up to 9441 tonnes, more than other eco-actions.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters found that greenhouse-gas emissions from lakes and inland waterways may be up to 45% greater than previously thought. The researchers used a yearlong series of continuous measurements to gather data, revealing higher nighttime emissions and storms creating spikes.
A new study by the 2ndFOR Network found that natural processes in Latin American tropical forests can provide a solution to excess carbon dioxide threatening the planet. Regrowth forests increase above-ground carbon storage over time, depending on climate and landscape features.