Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
Agricultural emissions must be reduced by 1 gigaton per year in 2030 to meet the Paris climate agreement's goal of limiting warming to 2°C in 2100. Current interventions will only deliver 21-40% of mitigation required, highlighting a major gap between existing options and needed reductions.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that poor countries will experience more frequent heat extremes before wealthier nations, despite emitting less CO2. The study shows that the poorest fifth of the global population will be the first to feel the effects of climate change.
A study by the University of Connecticut team reveals that natural forest regrowth can store significant amounts of carbon, doubling in young second-growth forests and increasing by 120% in intermediate age forests. This approach offers a low-cost alternative to tree planting for reaching carbon mitigation targets.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland and others found significant inaccuracies in traditional chamber techniques for measuring nitrous oxide emissions from soils. The eddy covariance method with modern laser technology provides more accurate continuous measurements, averaging out spatial and temporal variations.
Penn State will lead a six-year, $20 million University Coalition for Fossil Energy Research to advance clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The coalition will explore research in coal, natural gas, and oil, including carbon dioxide capture and utilization, with the aim of minimizing environmental impacts.
Research published in BMJ Open found that single dose targeted intraoperative radiotherapy can save patients thousands of hours of time, journeys, and CO2 emissions compared to standard treatment. The study estimates that widespread adoption of TARGIT could save millions of miles, tons of CO2, and hundreds of hours of travel time annually
Researchers at TIFR Mumbai have designed functionalized nanomaterials that offer superior CO2 capture capacity and stability compared to conventional materials. The new sorbents feature high amine loading with minimal decrease in surface area, making them suitable for efficient CO2 capture.
A new study reveals that tropical ecosystems like the Amazon may be more sensitive to climate change than previously thought. The research found that the Amazon can experience large shifts in its carbon balance in response to extreme heat and drought, with these changes occurring surprisingly quickly.
Two researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology suggest seven energy-intensive separation processes for low-energy purification technologies. These alternative processes could reduce energy use by $4 billion per year in the US, lower carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tons, and open up new ways to obtain critical resources.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change reveals significant greening of a quarter to one-half of the Earth's vegetated lands due to CO2 fertilization. The increase in leaves on plants and trees has the potential to fundamentally change the cycling of water and carbon in the climate system.
Researchers at the University of Bergen have identified PET scanning as an effective tool for improved oil production and CO2 storage. The technology uses radioactive tracers to visualize the flow of liquid or gas in rock samples, increasing the efficiency of CO2 storage and oil production.
The OU research team aims to improve understanding of microbial community diversity, structure, and function on greenhouse gas emissions from grasslands and croplands. The project will develop a multi-scale observation and modeling framework to estimate greenhouse gas emissions across landscape scales.
A graphene-based sensor and switch have been developed to detect individual CO2 molecules and VOC gas molecules, which are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations. The technology has the potential to improve air quality in homes with good insulation, reducing health problems such as sick building syndrome.
A new study suggests that carbon pricing revenues could generate enough funds to cover the drinking water supply for most countries worldwide by 2030. In India alone, a carbon tax would yield around $115 billion annually, with only 4% needed for clean water and sanitation.
A recent study by Lund University researchers found a clear connection between global economic development and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study analyzed data from 138 countries and discovered that as countries become wealthier, their environmental sustainability decreases.
Simulating CO2 saturation in rocks could provide a breakthrough in carbon capture and storage by estimating the rocks' potential locations. Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a technique to characterize fluid displacement processes, allowing for more accurate estimation of storage capacity and leakage risk.
Soil has the potential to sequester more carbon than the current atmosphere, and climate-smart agricultural practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil fertility. Several methods, including reducing tillage and applying biochar, can be used by land users to abate emissions and sequester carbon.
Researchers at MIT propose a hybrid system that combines coal gasification and fuel cells to boost efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The system achieves efficiencies up to 55-60%, compared to conventional plants' 30% efficiency.
Researchers at Empa combined direct measurements with a transport model to validate statistics on greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland. The study confirms estimated annual emission of approximately 200,000 tonnes of methane, with livestock farming contributing 70% of emissions.
A new study warns that climate change poses a significant risk of triggering multiple tipping points, leading to irreversible economic damages worldwide if left unchecked. The research suggests that immediate action is needed to reduce CO2 emissions and meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 °C.
Scientists in Spain have found a correlation between lower oil prices and increased CO2 emissions. The study suggests that a 1% increase in oil prices leads to a 0.4% rise in CO2 emissions. Researchers recommend designing a cautious tax structure to reduce fossil fuel consumption and promote cleaner energies.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a novel way to produce plastic from CO2 and plant waste, which could significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. The new technology converts fructose-free biomass into polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF), a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Researchers found that human activities have transformed the land biosphere into a contributor to climate change by overwhelming its ability to soak up carbon dioxide. This discovery reverses conventional thinking on human impacts on terrestrial carbon uptake.
Scientists have developed a method to transform CO2 from smokestack emissions into high-value materials for lithium and sodium batteries. The process produces carbon nanotubes with stable performance, offering a potential solution for reducing environmental impact of current power plants.
A new study by Duke University warns that China's coal-based chemical industries will significantly increase the country's carbon footprint. The industries, which include synthetic fuels and olefins, emit nine times more CO2 than alternative methods.
Scientists will simulate an emission from a submerged carbon dioxide storage reservoir in the North Sea, using acoustic and chemical sensors to detect released CO2. The goal is to develop innovative technology for detecting and quantifying CO2 emissions in the marine environment.
Researchers estimate that the world can emit even less greenhouse gases than previously estimated if global warming is to be kept under control. The study suggests a carbon budget of 590-1240 billion tons of CO2 from 2015 onwards to limit warming to below 2°C.
A new study by NOAA and CIRES scientists reveals that the US is responsible for 8% of global CCl4 emissions, with hotspots in the Gulf Coast region and Colorado. The findings contradict previous reports and highlight the need for further research to understand the source of excess emissions.
Research shows carbon footprint labels influence consumer choice, with usage-related emissions being most important factor. Consumers value recycling and prefer manufacturers to offset emissions, rather than taking direct action.
Researchers optimize algae-based biorefineries to produce cleaner energy with reduced costs and carbon footprint. The study's model uses flue gases as a source of CO2, reducing expenses by almost 90%.
Agriculture technology improvements can cut emissions by up to 50%, but reductions in beef consumption are necessary to meet EU climate targets. Cutting back on beef and increasing poultry and pork consumption can help achieve the targets.
A new study suggests that the available budget for carbon dioxide emissions is on the low end of previous estimates, lending urgency to addressing climate change. The researchers propose a limit of 590-1240 billion tons CO2 from 2015 onwards to keep global warming below 2°C.
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology found that consumers are responsible for more than 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and up to 80% of world water use. Changing consumption habits can significantly reduce environmental impact.
Researchers have adapted the Trombe wall design to heat and cool buildings, reducing carbon emissions and fossil fuel use. The new system uses wind and solar energy to provide a comfortable indoor temperature all year round.
A new study predicts that heat waves could become annual occurrences across 60% of the world's land surface by 2075 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked. However, aggressive emission reductions could significantly reduce the severity of these events, especially for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Boston University found that urban soils in metropolitan areas surrounding the city core release significant amounts of CO2 through a process called soil respiration. This discovery highlights the importance of considering biological emissions in assessments of climate action programs.
A new statistical technique confirms that man-made CO2 and methane emissions cause global warming, particularly in densely populated regions. The study provides complementary support to model-based studies and highlights the need for further research on regional climate dynamics.
Reducing U.S. climate emissions could prevent up to 175,000 premature deaths nationwide by 2030, generating $250 billion annual health benefits. Cleaner energy policies and transportation reductions could yield significant long-term health benefits worth 5-10 times the costs.
Researchers suggest that large-scale CO2 removal schemes could have significant environmental impacts, including land use changes and financial costs. The proposed methods include growing bioenergy crops, tree plantations, and adding biochar to soil, but their effectiveness at scale remains uncertain.
A new study by an MIT professor suggests that China's efforts to price carbon will significantly lower the country's CO2 emissions without impeding economic development. The study uses a unique model linking China's energy system and economy, predicting that coal use will peak around 2020 and overall emissions will peak around 2030.
A study published in Nature reveals that secondary tropical forests in Latin America are highly resilient and can recover up to 122 tons of biomass per hectare after 20 years. The research, led by Yale-NUS College Assistant Professor Michiel van Breugel, found carbon uptake rates 11 times higher than old-growth forests.
Research-based climate scenarios predict catastrophic consequences of rising carbon emissions, including sea-level rise and coastal submersion affecting 1.3 billion people. The long-term view underscores the urgency to curb emissions within decades.
GCEP has awarded over $177 million since its launch in 2002 to support global climate change efforts through innovative energy technologies. Researchers will focus on developing lightweight materials, high-efficiency solar devices and microbial production of biofuels.
The study found that sediments from the deep Southern Ocean carried smaller amounts of oxygen, indicating phytoplankton took up large amounts of carbon dioxide. This led to a buildup of decaying organic matter that stored extra carbon in the deep sea.
A combined carbon and sugar tax in the UK could lead to significant environmental and health benefits, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in fiber intake. The tax scenarios predicted a decrease in purchases of beef, lamb, and other meats, as well as an increase in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
A University of Miami-led study shows that the North Atlantic absorbed 100% more man-made carbon dioxide over the last decade, impacting ocean life and marine organisms. The findings highlight the importance of reducing fossil fuel emissions to mitigate the effects on the oceans.
A new study reveals that small ponds globally produce an outsized share of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane. These tiny bodies of water, less than a quarter acre in size, account for significant emissions due to high concentrations of terrestrial carbon.
A new study suggests the US can transition to a low-carbon electricity system by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 78% and delivering electricity at costs similar to today's. The model uses weather-driven renewable resources to supply most of the nation's electricity.