Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A new study from the University of Michigan found that most economic analyses of carbon capture and storage technology for coal-fired power plants severely underestimates its costs and overestimates its energy efficiency. The researchers conclude that renewable energy sources are likely to be cheaper than reducing carbon emissions from...
COP21 seeks a universal agreement on climate change, aiming for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases. The conference will focus on sustainable innovation, including biofuels research development, and encourage public awareness on climate change.
Alaska permafrost is projected to decline by 16-24% by 2100 under widely accepted climate scenarios, with more losses expected in central Alaska than northern Alaska. Climate change degrades permafrost, affecting ground and surface water pathways, transportation, and releasing stored carbon.
The report reveals that renewable energy improves the environment and protects human health by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. However, it also highlights challenges such as material scarcity, recycling issues, and energy penalties from carbon capture and storage systems.
A study finds that CO2 pricing can improve public welfare by investing in infrastructure. The research shows that finance ministers can benefit from this approach, as it yields a positive economic effect. The authors suggest that price targets can be an effective tool for climate policy, particularly for countries like Canada and Chile.
The use of different methods to measure energy sources is a significant issue, affecting global efforts to combat climate change. The disparity in measuring energy statistics can lead to inaccurate targets and progress tracking.
A new study suggests that paying US$11 per trip could eliminate CO2 emissions from tourism, contributing up to five percent of total human-made emissions worldwide. The University of Waterloo-led research proposes a combination of energy-saving and renewable energy initiatives to meet the UN's carbon emission targets.
Researchers found that electric mobility could be a crucial factor in reducing CO2 emissions from transportation, which currently accounts for 23% of global emissions. Improved urban infrastructure policies, such as investing in public transport and bike paths, can also lead to significant reductions in emissions.
The US Forest Service found that forest carbon sequestration may decline overall over the next 25 years, with some regions experiencing a gradual decline and others a rapid decline due to disturbances like fire and insect epidemics.
A new study reveals that many lakes worldwide release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, with northern hemisphere lakes expected to increase emissions due to climate change. The study found that most lake CO2 originates from surrounding land, highlighting the impact of land use changes on greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptive multi-paddock grazing is a potential option to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions on cow-calf operations. This advanced rotational grazing results in more carbon sequestration and produces higher quality grass that reduces methane production.
The study found that consumers struggled to understand and compare the labels, resulting in no price premium or increased demand for labelled products. The authors suggest a simpler label design could increase consumer awareness and drive more environmentally friendly purchasing decisions.
A new University of Iowa study found that tree planting in the Twin Cities region offsets only one percent of the area's carbon emissions. The research identified 'hotspots' where trees are scarce and carbon generation is high, suggesting targeted tree-planting efforts may help balance carbon supply and demand.
A new study suggests that carbon sequestration in European cropland could store between 9-38 megatons of CO2 per year, but its effectiveness is limited due to potential emissions leakage. The research highlights the need for additional mitigation efforts to achieve global climate goals
A new study finds that the US, EU, and China's pledges to reduce emissions leave little room for other nations, requiring them to adopt drastic reductions. The researchers argue that even if the top emitters fulfill their pledges, global temperatures will rise by around 3C, posing a significant threat to the planet.
A new study projects more extreme weather in the Amazon, with frequent and extensive droughts expected to impact forest structure, biomass, and carbon emissions. The region will experience profound implications for the environment, including increased greenhouse gas emissions.
A new framework reveals how panda conservation efforts in China impact cities worldwide, including economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. The study also explores the effects of tourism and conservation on local ecosystems.
Researchers at Aarhus University are working with international partners to find ways to convert CO2 into valuable materials. The goal is to make CO2 a sustainable resource, potentially even using it as a raw material for future manned missions to Mars.
Researchers link Chinese-made goods to higher CO2 emissions due to antiquated manufacturing processes and coal reliance. Developed countries can alleviate carbon pollution by improving manufacturing in China's most polluting regions.
Researchers found significant environmental and public-health benefits from co-firing oat hulls with coal, including 90% reduction in filterable particulate matter. Burning oat hulls also reduced hazardous air pollutants by 41% and heavy metals by 51%.
A new study finds that many forests cannot absorb as much carbon dioxide as projected because of a shortage in vital nutrient nitrogen. This limits the ability of plants to fix carbon, leading to higher net carbon emissions.
Researchers find that using liquid natural gas (LNG) in marine vessels can reduce local air pollution, but its impact on greenhouse gases depends on the fuel supply infrastructure. The study suggests that LNG may be a viable alternative to traditional fuels for shipping companies looking to comply with new regulations.
A new study finds that reducing short-lived pollutants like methane and aerosols can substantially improve air quality while also mitigating climate change. The measures, which target the oil and gas industry, could lower global temperatures by up to 0.22°C by 2050 and reduce life expectancy losses due to air pollution.
A new Harvard study finds that the supply of wind and solar power could be increased tenfold without additional storage, making gas turbines cost-effective carbon mitigation candidates. Low capital cost and good emissions performance also make them a viable alternative to intermittent renewables.
The study predicts that increased greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost will result in significant economic losses. Researchers estimate that the total predicted impact of climate change by 2200 could be as high as $369 trillion, with $43 trillion in additional damage expected by end of century.
The special issue marks the 10th year anniversary of IPCC SRCCS and outlines significant progress made in CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) in the last decade. The reviews suggest that CCS is now a mature technology, ready for large-scale deployment to combat climate change.
Protected areas in Indonesia have preserved 14,000 hectares of mangrove habitat between 2000 and 2010, avoiding 28% of total mangrove loss. This conservation effort has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 13 million metric tons annually.
A new study reveals countries with higher per-capita CO2 emissions, like the US and Russia, have accumulated large carbon debts. India is the largest creditor, while Brazil and Indonesia switch from being creditors to debtors due to deforestation and agriculture.
A new policy article suggests that opening up access to power grids, ending fossil-fuel subsidies, and supporting renewable energy technologies can make wind and solar power cheaper. The authors argue that modernizing power grids and ensuring policies related to renewable energy are crucial for reducing emissions.
The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.
New research has substantially reduced China's estimated carbon emissions from the past decade, suggesting that international agencies had overestimated its cumulative emissions by as much as 2.9 gigatons. The revised estimates were made possible by a more accurate understanding of fuel quality and emission factors.
A team of scientists has quantified the carbon dioxide emitted by US rivers and streams, finding that in-stream respiration may be a larger source than previously thought. The study's findings are crucial for predicting how changes in land use and climate will impact global greenhouse gas emissions.
Research by Umeå University reveals that streams and rivers release notable amounts of carbon dioxide from organisms' respiratory processes. This finding highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms in predicting the impact of climate change on greenhouse gas concentrations.
Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.
GCEP has awarded funding to six new projects, including a device that harnesses nighttime radiation and a charcoal-like soil amendment that removes carbon dioxide from the air. These promising technologies have the potential to transform our global energy system in the future, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new UK study predicts that severe droughts could lead to the extinction of six butterfly species by 2050, highlighting the urgent need for climate action. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring habitats can greatly improve the chances of drought-sensitive butterflies surviving until at least 2100.
Researchers used natural CO2 underwater seeps to study ecosystems in high-CO2 levels and adjacent ecosystems with present-day levels of CO2. The study found that acidification affects fish behavior, but some species thrive in acidified waters, while others decline or shift habitats.
A new study found that Arctic rivers, such as the Mackenzie River, are responsible for burying large amounts of organic carbon from thawing permafrost at sea. This process locks away carbon dioxide and helps stabilize the earth's CO2 levels over time, providing a potential natural sink for excess greenhouse gas emissions.
CU-Boulder researchers have developed a novel wastewater treatment process called Microbial Electrolytic Carbon Capture (MECC) that captures greenhouse gases and produces renewable energy. The process uses electrochemical reactions to absorb CO2 from wastewater, producing stable mineral carbonates and bicarbonates.
A novel process configuration produces clean middle-distillate fuels from coal with minimal emissions, suitable for jet or diesel engines. The process extracts coals with light cycle oil, separates solids, hydrotreats liquids to remove sulfur and aromatic compounds.
A new study warns that continued carbon dioxide emission trends would leave a lasting impact on the deep ocean, with acidification and warming posing significant threats to marine life. Removing CO2 from the atmosphere through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategies may not be effective in reversing these effects.
A new study shows that carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere will not compensate for soaring emissions, even if atmospheric CO2 concentration is restored to pre-industrial levels. This would lead to ocean acidification and threatening marine life forms.
A new study from the University of East Anglia recommends that China prioritize non-coal fuels like nuclear power and natural gas to improve electricity supply security while reducing carbon emissions. The country's largest coal importer, China needs to reduce its dependence on coal to achieve long-term energy security.
A new study found that climate models significantly disagree on the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestered in Northern Eurasian tundra and boreal ecosystems. The region's land carbon sink has been strengthening in recent decades, but some models now show signs of weakening.
A study by the University of California Irvine found that economic downturns, rather than increased natural gas use, were responsible for a 11% decrease in climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions in the US. This shift was driven by changes in consumer demand and industrial output.
A new study finds that economic factors, including consumption and production changes, account for the majority of the decline in US carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. The analysis used Structural Decomposition Analysis to tease apart the various contributions of six different factors related to energy use and CO2 emissions.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.
Researchers found that strategic practices can reduce California almond production's carbon footprint, utilizing co-products for renewable power generation. Ideal circumstances could make California almonds carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative through improved orchard biomass utilization.
Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs) are a policy framework that addresses the bind between climate science and political reality. By implementing a quantity-based energy quota system, TEQs offers an equitable and expeditious way to bridge the gulf between climate ambition and public support.
A study suggests that massive changes in the oceans' future could lead to a fundamentally different type of production regime. Rising CO2 emissions could result in a shift from phytoplankton-driven primary production to heterotrophy, leading to changes in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
A new IIASA study examines the effect of reducing short-lived air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions on carbon budgets compatible with the 2°C climate target. The researchers found that stringent reductions in methane emissions could increase the size of the carbon budget by up to 20%.
A new report by CMC Research Institutes suggests that Canada can reduce carbon emissions by 2050 while maintaining economic prosperity. The 'deep decarbonization pathway' would require stronger policies, regulations, and technology innovation to compete globally in a low-carbon world.
Researchers at University College London have investigated positronium's behavior in collisions with hydrogen, argon, helium, and carbon dioxide gases. They found a strong preference for positronium to be emitted in the forward direction, particularly when positrons hit the gas at high speed.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and Union of Concerned Scientists found that tropical peatland carbon losses from oil palm plantations may be significantly higher than previously estimated, with actual rates nearly twice as high as official estimates. This suggests improved strategies for measuring greenhouse gas emissions i...
Scientists have discovered that nanoscale forces are responsible for stopping a puddle from spreading, resolving a paradox in fluid flow. This finding has significant implications for various processes, including lubrication of gears and sequestration of carbon dioxide emissions.
New findings suggest that some natural gas wells, compressor stations, and processing plants in the Barnett Shale leak far more methane than previously estimated, with some sites emitting up to 47.8% of their produced gas. Human error and lack of maintenance are identified as primary causes of these emissions.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change found analyses of carbon emissions may be misleading as they failed to include policy mechanisms. Contrary to previous findings, conserving native forests resulted in better climate outcomes than sustainable harvesting due to policy effects.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's forests are under threat from lax conservation efforts, with up to 20% loss predicted and a 60% increase in carbon emissions expected. A new study suggests that greater protection measures, including protected areas and land use zoning, could reduce deforestation by more than half.
A new report by The Lancet suggests that climate change could wipe out health progress over the past 50 years, but effective climate action may improve global health. The report highlights positive co-benefits of reducing emissions, such as lower incidence of respiratory diseases and obesity.
A new calculation method developed by a UCL-led team of scientists can accurately predict how much radiation carbon dioxide absorbs, reducing uncertainties in climate change modeling and enabling more accurate predictions about Earth's warming over the next few decades. The improved accuracy will enable missions to achieve their goals.