Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
The report suggests that reducing global beef consumption, reducing food waste, and improving farm nutrient management can deliver big climate wins while maintaining food security. Implementing these strategies could cut over three gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Researchers at Monash University have modelled a carbon-based spaser that could enable the creation of ultra-thin mobile phones printed on clothing. The device offers advantages such as high temperatures resistance, eco-friendliness, and flexibility, paving the way for innovative applications in telecommunications.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that using corn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil carbon but generates more greenhouse gases than gasoline, casting doubt on its climate benefits. Researchers suggest planting cover crops or alternative feedstocks to mitigate emissions.
A University of California, Riverside researcher has won a $500,000 grant to study a process that transforms carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals using a unique catalyst. The technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons per year or more.
A study by researchers at KU Leuven predicts that deforestation in the Congo Basin could increase temperatures by 1.4 °C by 2050, with an additional 0.7 °C from deforestation-induced warming. This could lead to drastic temperature increases, threatening plant and animal species with extinction.
A breakthrough in amplifier design for mobile phone masts could reduce CO2 emissions by around 0.5 million tonnes a year, with an estimated saving of half a mid-size power station's output if 10,000 base stations were fitted.
A new study by McGill University professor Shaun Lovejoy uses statistical analysis to determine the probability that global warming since 1880 is due to natural variability. The study concludes that the natural-warming hypothesis can be ruled out with confidence levels greater than 99%, and most likely greater than 99.9%.
Researchers argue that current climate models fail to accurately capture the economic costs of climate change, leading to underestimated damage and ineffective policy decisions. To improve this, scientists must collaborate and update their models more frequently.
Researchers at Winrock International have developed a new method to estimate carbon emissions from forest degradation caused by selective logging in tropical regions. The approach measures logging-associated emissions from extracted timber, surrounding forest damage, and infrastructure.
A Yale University-led study finds that using more wood and less steel and concrete in building and bridge construction can reduce global carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Sustainable management of wood resources can achieve both goals while maintaining biodiversity and reducing fossil fuel burning.
A recent study at Chalmers University of Technology found that greenhouse gas emissions from food production threaten the UN's 2-degree Celsius limit for global warming. Reducing meat and dairy consumption could bring agricultural climate pollution down to safe levels, but broad dietary change can take time.
A study by two students at Linköping University found that aquatic environments in India emit 42% of expected natural carbon dioxide equivalents, highlighting the importance of reducing fossil carbon emissions. Methane accounts for 71% of these emissions, providing a potential pathway to reduction through water pollution mitigation.
Carbon markets are emerging at the state and global levels, teaching valuable lessons on what works and what doesn't in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite challenges, these markets have expanded to cover a substantial share of global emissions and encouraged modest reductions.
A new study found that growing season gains from permafrost thaw are outweighed by increased winter respiration, leading to enhanced carbon losses. The research suggests that the Arctic's stored carbon could reach catastrophic levels within a century if permafrost continues to thaw.
The EU's unilateral leadership in reducing greenhouse gases can limit the 2-degree target overshoot to 0.2-0.4°C, with lower costs for late-comers who delay action but face higher transitional challenges once they decarbonize. Carbon leakage is estimated to be small.
A new study estimates that future heat waves could double crop yield losses, particularly for maize, and offset positive CO2 fertilisation effects on wheat and soybean yields. Climate mitigation policies can help reduce risks of negative impacts on global food supply.
The Life-Seed Capital project uses rapeseed crops to improve agricultural productivity and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Rapeseed cake, a by-product of oil extraction, is used as animal feed, reducing emissions by up to 13% and improving organic matter use efficiency.
Researchers at GEOMAR found that large-scale climate intervention methods have limited benefits and significant side effects, such as accelerated global warming. The study's results highlight the need for careful consideration of the potential social, political, legal, and ethical implications of proposed climate engineering methods.
A new study reveals that targeted livestock production systems can lead to a 23% reduction in emissions from land use change within two decades. This shift would make it more profitable for farmers to expand mixed systems with higher-quality feed, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
A new Yale study reveals that ancient forest emissions and wildfires had a significant impact on global warming, even before human-generated CO2 emissions. The research found that concentrations of tropospheric ozone, aerosol particles, and methane during the Pliocene epoch were twice those observed in the pre-industrial era.
A new study found that suburban households in the US account for approximately 50% of the country's total household carbon footprint. The researchers used an analytic model and national survey data to estimate average household carbon footprints for over 30,000 zip codes and 10,000 cities and towns across all 50 states.
A new study from North Carolina State University indicates that increasing electric drive vehicle use will have little impact on reducing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. The researchers found that even if EDVs made up 42 percent of passenger vehicles, there would be limited emission reductions.
A new multi-model analysis suggests that achieving a 40% reduction in EU emissions by 2030 is feasible and would require little to no additional costs. The study, led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, found that technological innovation could help reduce costs and meet long-term climate targets.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals the US and China are among the 7 countries most accountable for global warming. The study assigns a temperature change value to each country reflecting its contribution to observed global warming, with the US responsible for a significant 20% of the observed warming.
A new study found that US power plant emissions decreased by 20-40% since the switch to natural gas with combined cycle technology, releasing significantly less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. This shift in energy production led to a reduction of 23% less CO2 in the atmosphere last year.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.
Recent studies published in Geophysical Research Letters reveal the potential link between magma chamber inflation and powerful earthquakes at Kilauea Volcano. Additionally, researchers found that seal-borne sensors provide valuable data for studying ocean conditions in the Southern Ocean.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that suburban sprawl cancels out the carbon footprint savings of densely populated cities, with suburbs accounting for 50% of household emissions. Interactive maps show striking differences between urban cores and surrounding suburbs, highlighting the need for tailored climate action plans.
A recent analysis suggests that reducing livestock emissions can help mitigate climate change, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Ruminants, such as cattle, produce copious amounts of methane in their digestive systems, with greenhouse gas emissions from these animals being 19-48 times higher than plant-based protein sources.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that a segmental approach to emissions policies, focusing on separate targeting of energy choices and consumption through regulations or incentives, can play an important role in achieving emission reductions. This approach allows for targeted policy-making, addressing specific areas of concern w...
A new study highlights the importance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and bioenergy in reaching ambitious climate targets. Without policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels will remain the major energy source by 2100, with resulting increases in emissions.
Researchers propose a method to convert CO2 into stable magnesite, which could help curb global warming by sequestering greenhouse gas emissions. The technique uses ultramafic rocks and temperatures between 53°F and 86°F to form the mineral.
Researchers from PNNL present studies on carbon sequestration in shale reservoirs, water consumption for future energy production, and how climate change affects soil microbes. Early results show clay minerals can absorb emissions under certain conditions.
The OCEAN CERTAIN project aims to improve understanding of the biological pump, a process that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in marine sediments. The four-year, $12 million project will investigate the importance of this process in shaping future climate change.
Researchers have identified regions beneath the oceans where igneous rocks can safely store large volumes of carbon dioxide. The stored CO2 would be locked away for centuries, preventing its release into the atmosphere or oceans.
A new paper by James Hansen and colleagues assesses the impacts of global warming, concluding that drastic emission reductions are needed to stabilize the climate. A call for papers on responses to climate change has been issued, with a focus on alternative energy development, environmental preservation, and ecosystem restoration.
A new study published in PNAS found that total US methane emissions may be 50% higher than government estimates, with large discrepancies in the south-central region. The study's findings have implications for national and state greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
A study of 200 urban areas in eleven European countries found that one in every three cities has no plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while seven in ten have no formal adaptation plans. Cities are crucial in addressing climate change due to their significant emission contributions and vulnerability to climate hazards.
Studies conducted by Berkeley Lab researchers suggest that methane emissions from oil and gas production may account for a significant portion of underestimated emissions in California and nationwide. The research found that methane emissions are 1.3 to 1.8 times higher than current official inventory estimates in California.
A new study by Thomas Frölicher suggests that the Earth's atmosphere could continue to warm for hundreds of years after a complete stop of CO2 emissions, leading to a 25% increase in global temperature. The ESM2M climate model reveals that regional ocean heat uptake is crucial in understanding the effects of climate change.
A Princeton University-led study found that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could continue to warm the planet for hundreds of years after a sudden halt in emissions. The researchers simulated an abrupt stop in carbon emissions and found that the planet warmed by 0.37 degrees Celsius over 400 years.
Global carbon emissions are set to reach a record 36 billion tonnes in 2013, with the US and EU also major contributors. The growth in coal is driving most of the increase, and cumulative CO2 emissions since 1870 are expected to exceed 200 trillion tonnes.
New UEA research suggests that adding copper to crop fertilization processes can help reduce nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Copper has been found to regulate the gene responsible for destroying nitrous oxide in soil bacteria.
A comprehensive analysis of Durban Platform scenarios suggests that climate talks can deliver an outcome consistent with the 2-degree target if global climate action is substantially strengthened. However, delaying action would require higher emission decline rates and larger economic costs.
Experts warn of substantial economic losses from ocean acidification, with declines in shellfisheries and tropical coral reefs expected. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions can slow acidification and protect some ecosystems.
A new study warns that Brazil's oil palm expansion could lead to extremely high emissions of carbon dioxide if not strictly controlled. The researchers found that if plantations spill over into conservation or indigenous areas, the total amount of CO2 emissions may exceed the carbon intensity of petroleum diesel.
The CO2CARE EU project has successfully demonstrated the safe and sustainable closure of a CO2 storage site, meeting key requirements for geological carbon capture and storage. The Ketzin pilot site's termination marks the first site to be closed within a scientific project.
A new study finds that emissions pricing revenues could be at least twice as high as the estimated profit losses for fossil fuel owners. Climate policies would reduce demand and lower prices, generating strong incentives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
A new study found that underground gas injection was correlated with small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas, between 2006 and 2011. The researchers suggest that geological faults may be responsible for the triggering of these quakes in some areas but not others.
A new study suggests that coral reefs can adapt to moderate climate warming if there are significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The research found that corals have already adapted to part of the warming that has occurred over the past 40 to 60 years, and could potentially reduce bleaching by 20-80% through genetic adaptation.
Engineers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have designed a model to maximize energy savings and CO2 reductions by using solar power for heating and cooling. The system, which can be installed in large office blocks, can provide air conditioning or heating according to daily needs.
Researchers have found that funeral pyres in South Asia emit significant amounts of sunlight-absorbing organic carbon aerosols, known as brown carbon. This finding highlights the importance of quantifying and characterizing regional combustion activities to enhance climate models.
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that China's planned synthetic gas plants would produce massive greenhouse gas emissions, using up to 100 times the water as shale gas production. The plants' carbon dioxide emissions would be seven times higher than traditional natural gas plants and lock in high emissions for decades.
A University of Michigan researcher challenges the widely held notion that biofuels like ethanol are carbon neutral, arguing that plants used to make fuel do not remove additional CO2 from the atmosphere. He suggests reforestation and protecting forests as more effective ways to address climate change.
A new study finds that delaying climate policy could lead to increased short-term mitigation costs, higher energy prices, and reduced emission reductions. If climate policies are delayed beyond 2030, global energy price levels may increase by 80% in the short term.
Researchers mapped carbon footprints of 434 UK municipalities, finding that lifestyle, education, and household cars significantly impact CO2 emissions. The study reveals the UK's municipalities have high territorial emissions, despite lower overall carbon footprint compared to global production.
A new study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics finds that gas flaring from oil extraction in the Arctic accounts for 42% of black carbon concentrations. Residential combustion emissions also play a significant role in black carbon pollution, contributing to the warming effect on ice and snow.
A new study reveals that Pacific flights create the most amount of ozone, with the highest sensitivity in an area east of the Solomon Islands. Flights leaving and entering Australia and New Zealand result in the largest ozone production, with some flights producing up to 25,300 kg of ozone.
Fires in eastern Russia's Siberia and Urals are often set by farmers to return nutrients to the soil and clear unwanted plants. These fires produce smoke degrading air quality, highlighting the need for fire management teams to limit uncontrolled wildfires.
By 2040, heat extremes are expected to increase substantially due to climate change, affecting 85% of the global land area. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions could prevent this, but current trends suggest a near-term inevitability.