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Action is needed to make stagnant CO2 emissions fall

Global carbon dioxide emissions have remained steady for three years, but a new study urges accelerated deployment of carbon capture technologies and increased renewables to meet the Paris Agreement's goals. The researchers predict that the rollout of carbon capture and storage will be crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

There's no one-size-fits-all solution to climate change

A new study suggests that carbon finance is not a one-size-fits-all solution to climate change, as its effectiveness varies widely depending on the region. Peat forests in Indonesia are found to be crucial for reducing carbon emissions, with potential rewards of $3.5 billion over 30 years.

SourceField Museum·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 12, 2017

Scientists measure pulse of CO2 emissions during spring thaw in the Arctic

Researchers measured significant spring pulses of greenhouse gases in the Arctic during thaw, revealing that the region may not be as effective at absorbing CO2 as previously believed. The study's findings suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense emissions, which could offset the Arctic's role as a carbon sink.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 14, 2016

Closing the carbon loop

A new catalyst developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has the potential to solve two problems at once - reducing net carbon dioxide emissions while generating cleaner fuels. The catalyst, which converts CO2 into methanol, could dramatically reduce the cost of carbon capture and conversion.

During last warming period, Antarctica heated up 2 to 3 times more than planet average

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2016

My contribution to Arctic sea ice melt

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2016

An overlooked source of carbon emissions

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 2, 2016

Colorado River's dead clams tell tales of carbon emission

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.

SourceCornell University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateOct 28, 2016

State partnerships can promote increased bio-energy production, reduce emissions

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalComputers & Industrial Engineering·DateOct 25, 2016

Biofuels not as 'green' as many think

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 25, 2016

Recycling carbon dioxide: U of T researchers reduce climate-warming CO2 to building blocks for fuels

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.

Think a gasoline-direct injection engine is the green choice? Maybe not

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...

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 13, 2016

The true cost of crime -- in carbon footprints

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.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateJul 11, 2016