Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A National Research Council committee recommends exploring CO2 removal strategies, while cautioning against sunlight-reflecting tactics due to environmental and health risks. The committee calls for increased research into all climate intervention possibilities to address the urgent need to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
A new UC Berkeley study shows that combining biomass electricity production with carbon capture and sequestration can store more carbon than emitted, making the western US a critical contributor to an overall zero-carbon future. The technology could reduce emissions by up to 80% by 2050 and even become carbon-negative.
The loss of underwater posidonia meadows reduces their ability to capture and store atmospheric CO2, and can also lead to the release of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Seagrass meadows, like those studied, play a crucial role in mitigating anthropogenic emissions by capturing carbon.
A NASA scientist is developing a new laser instrument sensitive to methane, another potent greenhouse gas. The Methane Sounder will provide high-resolution, accurate, and around-the-clock global measurements, which could help understand current trends and mitigate its effects.
A novel class of materials has been developed to remove greenhouse gas from power plant emissions, offering a safer and more energy-efficient process. The microcapsules contain liquid sorbents encased in highly permeable polymer shells, achieving an order-of-magnitude increase in CO2 absorption rates.
Research team from University of Southampton found that atmospheric CO2 levels during the Pliocene era matched recent years, supporting recent climate change predictions. The study estimates climate sensitivity and reveals differences in climate response between warmer and colder periods.
A new analysis finds that ocean acidification could significantly impact up to 21-32% of calcifying marine species, including coral, clams, and sea urchins. This widespread impact could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide, as these species provide essential nursery habitats and food sources for other marine organisms.
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that supporting clean technologies like renewables and carbon capture can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions even with weak CO2 pricing. The researchers used a state-of-the-art computer model to analyze different policy instruments and their interactions.
A Yale-led study suggests that only 27-34% of world's wood fuel is unsustainable, highlighting the need for nuanced, local-specific climate and forest policies in developing nations. The research also identifies 'hotspots' where deforestation exceeds sustainable yields, primarily in South Asia and East Africa.
A new model suggests California will meet its 2020 GHG reduction goal, with potential for 40% reductions by 2030. The state's policies are expected to result in significant emission reductions, with individual policies quantified for the first time.
A new study finds that traditional yak dung burning in Tibetan households releases high levels of fine particulate matter, including black carbon. The pollution poses a significant health risk to the local population, who spend most of their time indoors during the cold season.
A new study suggests that the social cost of carbon is not $37 per ton as previously estimated, but $220 per ton. This higher estimate justifies rapid and early mitigation efforts to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius. The research also explores the impact on developing countries, suggesting that delaying emissions redu...
A UCLA study found that environmental messages can significantly reduce energy use, with participants reducing their electricity consumption by an average of 8% after receiving weekly emails highlighting the health and environmental benefits. The most effective message was one that combined both ideas, reminding people that energy redu...
A new study by Stanford University School of Engineering suggests the social cost of carbon dioxide emissions could be six times higher than previously estimated. The researchers estimated that the actual cost could be $220, which justifies rapid and early mitigation measures to limit global temperature rise.
Global CO2 emissions hit a new all-time record of 35.3 billion tonnes in 2013, with China's emissions increasing at a slower rate than usual due to energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy growth. The US saw a slight increase in emissions, while the EU continued to decrease emissions.
Researchers found that a past global warming period, the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, had two rapid carbon release events about 55.5 million years ago, releasing an average of 0.9 petagrams of carbon per year, similar to modern anthropogenic emissions.
A global fleet of composite planes could reduce CO2 emissions by 14-15% if introduced widely, thanks to fuel savings. However, the aviation industry's overall emissions reduction will be lower due to a mix of new and old aircraft in service.
The study assesses major economies' greenhouse gas emissions under different scenarios. It finds that current pledges lead to earlier emission peaking and less warming than without these policies, but not sufficient for the 2°C target. Financial support of $100-150 billion/year by 2030 could achieve efficiency in reducing emissions.
Researchers found that ancient global warming resembled modern climate shift, involving two pulses of carbon emissions. The Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, which occurred 56 million years ago, showed similar rates of carbon release to human fossil-fuel emissions today.
A group of economists and lawyers recommend updating the Social Cost of Carbon estimate every five years to incorporate the latest research, ensuring its reliability. The authors argue that a single estimate should be maintained and shared by all government agencies to provide consistent climate policies.
A study by Carnegie Institution scientists Katharine Ricke and Ken Caldeira found that climate warming caused by a single carbon emission reaches its maximum effect within 10 years. This refutes the common misconception of decades-long delays and benefits current generations, not just future ones.
Researchers found that CO2 warming effects peak within 10 years of emission and persist for over a century. The study suggests that current efforts to reduce emissions will benefit not only future generations but also people alive today.
A new theoretical equation demonstrates that every million-million tonnes of carbon emitted will generate one degree Celsius of global warming. The research also shows that surface warming is related to total carbon emissions, with little change over time as ocean carbon and heat uptake cancel each other out.
A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that forest protection policies alone will not reduce CO2 emissions from land-use change. Implementing comprehensive conservation schemes covering all land types is crucial, as intensifying agriculture can generate higher yields to compensate for reduced land availability.
A new ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model provides a stunning visual portrait of how carbon dioxide travels around the globe. The simulation, called GEOS-5, illustrates regional variations in carbon dioxide levels and differences between northern and southern hemispheres.
The plan aims to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30% by 2030 through various actions such as improving efficiency, using natural gas, expanding renewables, and creating energy efficiency programs. However, economists argue that the current design of the plan may not achieve its intended emissions reductions due to a lack o...
A study estimated embodied methane and nitrous oxide emissions in beef, chicken, and pork from livestock to countries where they are consumed. The researchers found a 19% increase in 'hidden' emissions over the past 20 years, with Russia receiving most of its emissions from Brazil and Argentina.
A new high-resolution mapping strategy has identified opportunities to preserve tropical carbon stocks in the fight against climate change. The approach prioritizes carbon conservation efforts throughout tropical countries and provides detailed information on landscape characteristics.
The University of Michigan student researchers compiled a comprehensive citywide greenhouse gas inventory for Detroit, highlighting key emission sources and areas for improvement. The report shows that energy use in buildings accounts for nearly two-thirds of the city's emissions, with exhaust from cars contributing to about 30%.
A new climate model simulates global carbon cycle interactions between plants and microbes, revealing a loss of soil carbon stocks in temperate regions due to increased microbial activity. The CORPSE model predicts gains in soil carbon capture in boreal regions and tropical South America.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that eliminating short-lived climate pollutants (SLCF) has a minor effect on slowing down global warming. The research found that these gases have a measurable impact but are short-lived and quickly disappear from the atmosphere, making them less effective in mitigating climate change.
A new integrated study suggests that targeting emissions of non-CO2 gases and air pollutants may not produce the desired long-term climate change benefits. The research highlights the importance of considering linkages between short-lived climate forcers and CO2 in climate stabilization scenarios, finding that near-term action on short...
A new study found that expanding electricity access in India contributed only marginally to the nation's total carbon emissions growth between 1981 and 2011. However, low-carbon energy technologies would bring significant co-benefits beyond climate mitigation, including improved health and economic benefits.
The new map is based on a collaboration between the Woods Hole Research Center and Mexican institutions, integrating field measurements with satellite data to provide continuous estimates of carbon stocks. This biomass map represents an important step forward in accounting for carbon emissions from the land sector in Mexico.
Researchers have found that sharks' habitats help them cope with acid oceans by reducing sensitivity to rising CO2 levels. The epaulette shark's ability to regulate its systems and tolerate low oxygen levels makes it better equipped to handle ocean acidification.
A recent study found that increased natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as market effects dominate. The global deployment of advanced natural gas technology could even lead to up to 10% higher CO2 emissions by the middle of this century.
A recent study found that expanding global natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Instead, it could displace lower-emitting energy sources and accelerate economic growth.
Researchers have developed a new type of energy-efficient flat light source using highly crystalline single-walled carbon nanotubes as field emitters, demonstrating potential for low-power lighting devices. The device has a brightness efficiency of 60 Lumen per Watt and requires only 0.1 Watt of power consumption.
Scientists from EPFL, UC Berkeley, and Beijing have combined solid and liquid materials to create a hybrid absorption-adsorption method that captures CO2 more efficiently than current methods. The new approach uses a slurry of ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, with glycol, allowing for low-cost and energy-efficient carbon capture.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that forest fragmentation results in up to a fifth more carbon dioxide being emitted by vegetation, with an estimated loss of over 68 million tonnes of carbon in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in ten years.
A new model developed by Argonne National Laboratory scientists predicts that peatlands in the Arctic will release more methane and less carbon dioxide as they warm, significantly affecting climate change forecasts. The research aims to improve greenhouse gas emission models and address concerns about accelerated warming in the Arctic.
A new study estimated carbon emissions from cropland expansion in Northeast China between 1680 and 1980, finding forest reclamation accounted for 60% of total emissions. The conversion of non-forest ecosystems also played a significant role in triggering carbon emissions.
A new study from Harvard, Syracuse, and Boston University scientists reveals that strong carbon standards for power plants can significantly reduce air pollution and provide substantial human health benefits. The research estimates that such standards could prevent thousands of premature deaths and hospitalizations every year in the US.
A recent study by UC Irvine researchers suggests that relying on natural gas to reduce emissions will have minimal effect. The study found that high gas usage can delay the construction of low-carbon energy facilities, ultimately leading to increased cumulative emissions.
A CU-led study found that emission caps and encouraging renewable energy are effective strategies for reducing power plant emissions. The study's findings have significant implications for the EPA's Clean Power Plan and suggest a bottom-up approach to climate mitigation.
The Global Carbon Project predicts a 2.5% rise in CO2 emissions in 2014, reaching a record 40 billion tons, surpassing the 1,200 billion-ton quota for limiting global warming to 2°C. This could lead to climate change catastrophe if not addressed immediately.
Malaysia's 'smart villages' offer a global model for poverty relief, tripling monthly income to US $475 per family. The country is also implementing low-carbon cities with solar-generated power and biomass energy.
Aalto University researchers have developed a pilot plant that converts CO2 and steel slag into PCC, a highly valuable resource. This innovative process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes waste, offering significant economic and environmental benefits for industries.
Approval of Keystone XL would increase oil sands extraction, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions, according to a survey of experts. The study suggests that KXL could raise CO2 emissions by 1-40 million metric tons per year, depending on market responses.
A new approach estimates CO2 emissions from fossil fuels at a global scale, providing detailed information for policy-makers. The 'Fossil Fuel Data Assimilation System' (FFDAS) uses satellite feeds, national fuel accounts, and power plant data to create high-resolution planetary maps.
African green revolution could boost land use and carbon emissions, contrary to previous successful initiatives in Asia and Latin America. Researchers warn of potential environmental consequences despite potential long-term benefits like cheaper food and reduced poverty.
Improving agricultural productivity in Africa could lead to an increase in global deforestation rates and carbon emissions. However, the study found that if markets become more integrated, the negative effects of a green revolution in Africa will diminish over time.
A Yale study finds that the conversion of forests to cropland worldwide has reduced global BVOC emissions, leading to a net cooling effect on climate temperatures. The loss of dark-colored forests and reduction in emissions of short-lived climate pollutants have offset warming caused by increased fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions.
A study published in Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology found that Blu-ray Discs delivered via retail stores caused lower carbon emissions than game files downloaded over broadband Internet. The majority of emissions resulted from gameplay, production, and distribution.
A new study from Princeton University and the University of California-Irvine finds that future coal-fired and natural-gas power plants will commit the world to decades and billions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The 'commitment accounting' method assigns all future emissions to the year a facility begins working, revealing a sig...
A new study estimates that more than 40% of global waste is burned in unregulated fires, releasing pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These emissions have been linked to serious medical issues, including decreased lung function and cancer.
A study by UC Irvine and Princeton University found that existing power plants will emit approximately 300 billion tons of carbon dioxide over their lifetimes. The emissions growth rate is around 4% per year, largely driven by the rapid expansion of coal-burning power plants in countries like China and India.
Researchers found that carbon-reduction policies can lead to significant health savings, with benefits ranging from 26% to 10.5 times the cost of implementation. A transportation policy was the most expensive option, costing over $1 trillion in 2006 dollars, while a clean energy standard fell between the costs of other policies.
A new study suggests that exporting US coal to power plants in South Korea could lead to a 21 percent drop in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the economic benefits of such exports would come with increased water use, land degradation, and potential harm to fish and wildlife habitats.
Researchers estimate that shale oil and gas production provides a $302 billion yearly dividend to the US economy. Implementing an emission-reducing plan would reduce this dividend by half, but still leave significant gains. A carbon tax is considered the most efficient way to balance emissions reduction with economic benefits.