Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
Researchers are developing economic models to reduce the economic costs of implementing carbon dioxide emission-reducing policies, encouraging low-carbon innovation. The project aims to show both positive and negative impacts of policies to encourage low-carbon innovation.
A new international study finds that black carbon, a byproduct of smoke and smog, contributes twice as much to global warming as previously estimated. The research suggests that controlling emissions can deliver more immediate climate benefits than reducing carbon dioxide.
Current technology cannot provide the carbon-neutral power needed to address climate change; a minimum of 31 new wedges of renewable energy are required. The Department of Global Ecology at Carnegie Institution aims to develop sustainable solutions for environmental issues, including climate change.
A new study suggests that the current approach to addressing climate change is insufficient and requires drastic cuts in CO2 emissions. The researchers propose a more radical transformation of the global energy system, with a focus on developing new, carbon-free power sources.
Researchers say limiting global temperature rise to 2°C requires reducing emissions to 41-47 gigatons per year by 2020. This is the only way to meet long-term climate targets without carbon capture and storage, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change.
A speed limit on container ships near ports and coastlines could reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot by up to 60-70% compared to traditional cruising speeds. This measure could significantly protect the health of people living in coastal areas.
A new, patented sensor-housing technology allows for long-term automated monitoring of greenhouse gases in cold environments, providing energy savings and stability. Developed by Professor David Risk, the technology can detect CO2 levels without halting injections or using secondary wells.
Researchers developing geo-electric technology aim to enhance seismic monitoring of CO2 injection, allowing for better tracking of the gas's movement. The technique has the potential to increase safety and public acceptance of carbon sequestration operations.
Kerosene wick lamps release 20 times more black carbon than previously thought, a hazard for human health and the environment. Replacing kerosene lamps with inexpensive LED alternatives can curb black carbon emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Researchers in Quebec develop a process to remove most of the carbon dioxide from emissions through chemical reactions with crushed rocks. The resulting carbonate byproducts can be sold for use as a refractory material or wastewater treatment agent.
A team of Princeton researchers found that using synthetic fuel made from coal, natural gas, and non-food crops could cut US vehicle greenhouse emissions by up to 50% in the next several decades. The process is competitive with crude oil production and has potential environmental advantages.
Researchers found that nitrous oxide emissions in California may account for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with a potential impact on the state's 2020 emission reduction targets. The study used a new method combining atmospheric measurements and model predictions to estimate N2O levels.
Scientists using NASA satellite data and climate models have projected an increase in fire risk across the US by 2050, with more fire seasons expected to be longer and stronger. The analysis suggests that greenhouse gas emissions will lead to drier conditions favoring fire activity.
Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise by 2.6% in 2012, reaching a record high of 35.6 billion tonnes, with China contributing 28% and the US 16%. The analysis highlights the urgent need for radical emission reductions to keep global warming below 2 degrees.
The Global Carbon Project warns that current trends are no longer aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 2°C. To bridge this gap, a sustained global CO2 mitigation rate of at least 3% is needed to peak emissions before 2020 and follow an emission pathway that can keep temperatures below 2˚C.
Eight new research projects receive funding from Carbon Management Canada to develop technologies for reducing CO2 emissions in industries such as cement and power generation. These projects will focus on innovative solutions for capturing, storing, and utilizing CO2, including sensor technology and carbon mineralization methods.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that kerosene lamps produce 7-9% black carbon when burned, leading to a twentyfold increase in estimated black carbon emissions from lighting. Replacing kerosene lamps with cleaner alternatives could yield significant climate benefits and improve public health.
Researchers from Durham University and industry partners are developing a new method to monitor carbon storage using muons from cosmic rays. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by hundreds of millions of pounds per annum.
The new standard provides guidelines for regulators, industry, and others involved with scientific and commercial CCS projects. It establishes requirements and recommendations for environmentally safe long-term containment of carbon dioxide.
Researchers have discovered that mine waste rock has significant CO2 sequestration potential, which could be economically valued and used to offset emissions. The technology has the potential to capture five to ten times more CO2 than total greenhouse gas production from some mine operations.
Reducing nitrogen fertilizer use by 60% in over-fertilized areas could substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions without affecting crop productivity. The study found that N2O emissions have become the dominant factor in China's warming effect, surpassing the cooling effects of CO2 uptake.
A UT Austin study aims to quantify methane emission rates from natural gas production sites using direct measurement techniques. The study brings together industry stakeholders and researchers to better understand and manage emissions from well sites.
Slowing container ships to 14mph reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot by 60-70% compared to traditional speeds. Imposing speed limits near ports could significantly reduce pollution and protect local populations' health.
Researchers explore sunlight reduction methods in a computer model that considers emissions' effect on climate. The analysis shows a fundamental connection between the need for emissions reductions and the potential need for solar dimming. Climate sensitivity is a crucial factor in determining how much sun blocking might be needed.
A new study reveals that expanding palm oil production is driving massive carbon dioxide emissions and rainforest destruction in Indonesian Borneo. The sector's growth has cleared about 16,000 square kilometers of forestland since 1990, accounting for 60% of Kalimantan's total forest cover loss.
Researchers have developed a new software system called Hestia that can estimate greenhouse gas emissions across entire urban landscapes. The system combines data from various sources and provides high-resolution maps of CO2 emission sources, enabling policy-makers to guide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Stanford and Yale universities found that oil palm plantation expansion in Indonesian Borneo is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, projected to contribute over 558 million metric tons in 2020. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable production methods to mitigate deforestation.
A recent study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that restricting nuclear power has minimal effect on the cost of climate policies. The researchers discovered that early retirement of nuclear power plants would lead to cumulative global GDP losses amounting to around 10-20 percent of climate policy costs.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered a low-cost new material called NOTT-300 that can capture CO2 and SO2 with high efficiency and selectivity. The material has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a low-carbon economy.
Researchers found that constraining world trade is unlikely to help combat climate change, as emissions mainly originate from the production process of imported goods. The US current account deficit and China's energy mix are significant contributors to CO2 transfers.
A new study reveals that the US federal government significantly underestimates the economic damages caused by climate change. The current model ignores the impacts on future generations, resulting in underestimated costs for carbon pollution. Adopting cleaner energy sources can provide significant economic benefits and pave the way fo...
A new study published in Nature Climate Change warns that most coral reefs will be subject to severe degradation if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius. Only a scenario with strong action on mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions and rapid coral adaptation could save two-thirds of coral reefs.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have made significant breakthroughs in producing oil from algae, a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The team aims to combine the slow-growing traits of Botryococcus braunii with faster-growing alga species to create a high-yielding oil producer.
A reduced dietary pattern featuring less red and processed meat significantly reduces the risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer by 3-12%. It also leads to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 28 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
A new study estimates that destruction of coastal habitats releases 0.15 to 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions annually, with a high value associated with keeping these ecosystems intact.
A University of Oregon team has developed a formula to refrigerate coal-plant emissions, reducing carbon dioxide by 90%, sulfur dioxide by 98%, mercury by 100% and other pollutants. The process would save society 38% through reduced health-care and climate-change costs.
A new hand-held sensor detects high levels of carbon dioxide in classroom air, which can cause drowsiness and negatively impact learning. The sensor's data can help optimize HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality.
Researchers have successfully engineered a soil bacterium to produce isobutanol, a renewable fuel source that can be used in current engines with minimal modification. The microbe, Ralstonia eutropha, was modified to use carbon dioxide as its carbon source, paving the way for potential applications in industrial-scale production.
Scientists analyzed 50 years of global carbon dioxide measurements and found that the planet's oceans and ecosystems are still absorbing about half of the emitted CO2. However, they expect this process to slow down gradually, and may eventually lose their capacity to absorb CO2.
A CU-Boulder-led study reveals that Earth's vegetation and oceans have doubled their uptake of carbon dioxide in the past 50 years, despite sharp increases in human CO2 emissions. The trend may not be sustainable, as natural carbon sinks are expected to saturate, leading to increased warming impacts.
Scientists at University of Leeds used Diamond Light Source to study calcium oxide-based materials as CO2 sorbents. They found a mechanism for interaction between CaO and water, which led to disintegration and generation of nano-sized crystallites. This new knowledge aims to improve the efficiency of this economically viable method.
Researchers used LiDAR and satellite image analysis to create detailed maps of the Colombian Amazon's carbon stores, unlocking new methods for monitoring and conserving the region. The breakthrough supports the UN's REDD+ program and has implications for climate change mitigation in Colombia.
China's transportation restrictions during the 2008 Olympics reduced carbon dioxide emissions by a significant amount. The study found that this reduction could potentially provide a substantial part of the necessary emissions cut to prevent global warming by 2 degrees Celsius.
Emerging techniques to pull carbon dioxide from the air can help stabilize the climate, but lower-cost technology is a stumbling block. The techniques address sources of CO2 that other types of carbon capture and storage cannot, and have the potential to lower atmospheric CO2 levels significantly.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers shows that extracting carbon dioxide directly from the air using newly-developed adsorbent materials is economically feasible. The technique could be used to supplement capture of CO2 from power plant flue gases, with estimated costs of $100 per ton. The method has the potential to...
Researchers developed a new model to analyze 'well-to-wheel' greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands and conventional crude oils. They found that lifecycle emissions vary widely depending on project conditions and technology used.
Despite grim scientific evidence, coral scientist John Pandolfi believes it's possible to save 60-70% of the world's coral reefs. The key to success lies in reducing local stresses from pollution, runoff, and overfishing, as well as aggressively reducing CO2 emissions.
A team of Harvard and Nanjing University scientists has developed a new method for estimating China's CO2 emissions, combining field studies, satellite data, and provincial-level energy statistics. The resulting estimates offer an unbiased basis for measuring China's progress toward its climate change goals.
Research from Carnegie Institution shows pre-industrial era's clearing of land and forests contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide, affecting global warming. Accounting for these emissions shifts attribution of global temperature from industrialized nations to developing nations.
A climate model reveals that pre-industrial emissions from land use changes account for 9% of the increase in global mean temperature since the industrial revolution. Historical CO2 emissions from China and India, largely driven by population growth, continue to impact the atmosphere and climate today.
UC Berkeley's BEACON network uses 40 sensors to provide real-time, neighborhood-by-neighborhood measurements of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. The system aims to inspire local actions to reduce CO2 emissions and inform policy making.
The EUREAPA tool analyzes environmental impacts of different policies and scenarios, allowing policymakers to investigate how different policy changes affect future environmental pressures. It also helps track effects of decisions and ensure meeting of environmental goals.
Researchers at Winrock International developed a more accurate estimate of gross carbon emissions from tropical deforestation for the early 2000s. The study found that global emissions from deforestation were approximately one-third lower than previously published estimates, with Brazil and Indonesia accounting for 55% of total emissions.
Researchers have found that when the Iroko tree is grown in dry, acidic soil and treated with natural fungus and bacteria, it produces mineral limestone that stores carbon. This technique has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in tropical countries and improve farming conditions.
Biofuels' environmental benefits are overstated due to neglected GHG emissions and flawed Life Cycle Analysis models. The study highlights the omission of CO2 from vehicles using ethanol and biodiesel as a key contributor to this overestimation.
The Lancet Commission on Healthy Cities highlights the need for active planning to address urban health issues, with examples from Mumbai, London, and Bogota. The report recommends five key recommendations to improve urban health, including building political alliances and experimenting with diverse urban health projects.
A new computer model has pinpointed promising materials for efficient carbon capture, potentially reducing parasitic energy costs by 30%. The model has been integrated into power plant design software, allowing researchers to quickly test and optimize material properties.
Researchers found that seagrass beds store up to 19.9 billion metric tons of carbon globally, more than temperate and tropical forests. Seagrasses can store up to twice as much carbon per unit area, mostly in their soils.
The Centre for North Sea Enhanced Oil Recovery with CO2 (CENSEOR-CO2) will develop understanding of enhanced oil recovery technology, creating a commercial use for CO2 captured from power plants and industry. The technology could store 75 million tonnes of CO2 and increase oil removal by five to 25 percent.
Scientists from University of Utah and Harvard develop method to detect changes in CO2 emissions of 15% or more using three monitoring stations. The method is a proof-of-concept step towards verifying compliance with future greenhouse gas treaties.