Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A Canadian study finds that warming of at least 2 degrees Celsius will be unavoidable in mid-to-high latitude regions, including Canada. The research uses an earth system climate model to predict that even with zero greenhouse gas emissions, the world's temperature would continue to rise by about a quarter of a degree over a decade.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a microfluidic chip process for analyzing bitumen-gas interaction in heavy oil reservoirs. This method reduces analysis time and costs, using small samples and high pressure CO2 injection, and has potential applications for carbon sequestration.
In 2009, US greenhouse gas emissions from power generation decreased by 8.76 percent, primarily driven by the lower price of natural gas compared to coal. A new econometric model developed at Harvard University suggests that a carbon tax could further reduce emissions with negligible impact on electricity prices.
The Global Carbon Project has opened its first UK office at the University of East Anglia, providing objective scientific data on CO2 emissions and 'sinks' worldwide. The new office will support the annual publication of the project's global carbon budget, which quantifies global CO2 emissions in the previous year.
Carbon capture and storage technology could prevent billions of tons of CO2 emissions each year, but high costs and concerns over safety and permanence hinder its adoption. Stanford scientist Sally Benson emphasizes the need for global scale and monitoring to ensure secure storage.
A team of researchers from Carnegie Institution, GoodPlanet Foundation, and World Wide Fund (WWF) has produced the first large-scale, high-resolution estimates of carbon stocks in remote and fragile Madagascar. The study found that humid mountain forests had the highest carbon densities, while deforestation reduced standing carbon stocks.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change provides a high-resolution map of aboveground biomass density for the world's tropical forests, leading to better tracking of changes in biomass density and improved estimates of carbon emissions. With this map, countries can accurately report their greenhouse gas emissions under the UNFCCC.
The Panama Canal expansion allows for larger container ships, reducing fuel costs and emissions by up to 16% per tonne-mile. The study suggests that the industry can reduce its environmental impact through simple changes in hull design and optimization.
High CO2 levels in ocean water disrupt fish's central nervous system, impairing hearing, smell, turning, and predator evasion. Fish with high oxygen consumption are likely to be most affected.
A NASA study led by Drew Shindell suggests that implementing 14 key air pollution control measures could slow global warming, improve health outcomes, and increase agricultural production. The measures focus on reducing black carbon and methane emissions, which have significant impacts on climate change and human health.
Researchers have discovered that massive volcanic eruptions in the late Permian period likely caused the extinction of nearly all marine species and a majority of land life. Mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than today's human-caused emissions, contributing to the loss of 95% of life in the sea.
Scientists have discovered an improved method to remove carbon dioxide from smokestacks, tailpipes, and the atmosphere. The new materials achieve high carbon dioxide removal capacity, especially in humid air, making them a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new allocation framework reserves individual emissions paths for developing countries until certain development standards are reached, then requires reductions. Fair allocation of CO2 emissions and carbon budgets considering development dynamics may improve acceptance in climate negotiations.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found that green routing can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 27% while increasing trip lengths by just 11%. Simple changes like funneling cars along surface streets and intelligently targeting travelers yielded great gains in reducing regional emissions.
Adding biochar to glacial soils reduces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Ethylene production is also stimulated by biochar, potentially influencing plant growth.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting truck-borne freight to trains could significantly improve air quality in the Midwest. The study estimates that reducing truck traffic by just 5% would lead to a 31% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking about 4 million cars off the road.
The University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre is developing laser technology to map chemical species and soot in jet engine exhausts, aiming to reduce emissions and optimize combustion processes. The FLITES project will establish a world-leading capability for tomographic imaging of exhaust plumes.
Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by 5.9% in 2010, with contributions from China, USA, India, and the European Union. The recovery was short-lived as strong emissions growth resumed in developed economies.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record 10 billion tons, exceeding projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The increase is largely driven by emerging economies, with China and India contributing significantly to global emissions growth.
Scientists at Stanford University subject rocks to hellish conditions to combat global warming by studying the storage of carbon dioxide in geologic formations. They have obtained critical data about the large-scale underground storage of carbon dioxide, including reduced leakage risk and increased permeability.
The Manchester FLITES project aims to produce first-ever images of chemical species in aero-engine exhaust plumes using novel fibre lasers. The four-year study will focus on lowering carbon dioxide emissions, enhancing turbine-related research and development capacity.
Permafrost thaw could release approximately the same amount of carbon as deforestation, but with a greater impact due to methane emissions. The study estimates that by 2100, carbon released from permafrost will be 1.7-5.2 times larger than previous models.
A new OSU study suggests that existing biofuel policies have been costly and ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that alternative energy efficiency improvements would be more effective in reducing emissions.
A study by Berkeley Lab scientists reveals the technological steps needed to achieve California's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The findings emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, decarbonization of electricity generation, and electrification of transportation.
A new projection shows global food demand doubling by 2050, which could lead to significant environmental issues if not addressed. Increasing yield in poorer countries through adapted high-yielding technologies and efficient nitrogen fertilizers usage can help mitigate these effects.
Research suggests that carbon dioxide emissions must decrease to zero within two decades to limit global warming to safe levels. To achieve this, countries need to reduce their emissions by at least three percent per year.
The Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash. Developed by the Office of Naval Research, MAGS is environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, using thermally converted energy from biomass.
Demographer Emilio Zagheni's profile shows that societies with a growing elderly population tend to produce lower CO2 emissions. As people age, their carbon dioxide emissions decrease due to reduced consumption of energy-intensive goods and increased healthcare spending.
A new study suggests EU biofuels could be just as bad for the environment as traditional petrol, due to higher-than-thought CO2 emissions from oil palm plantations. The research reveals that expanding palm oil production can increase emissions by up to 60%.
A study by Arizona State University experts warns that some payment mechanisms for ecosystem services can be detrimental to the environment. The report highlights the need for carefully designed payment schemes to track changes in publicly owned environmental assets, similar to tracking economic indicators like GDP.
A comprehensive review of emission scenarios suggests that countries' current pledges are insufficient to meet the economically optimal milestone by 2020. To stay below a global warming of 2 degrees, countries must honour the higher end of their pledges and take decisive action this decade.
Complex organic compounds found throughout Universe contain aromatic and aliphatic components, resembling coal and petroleum. Stars produce these compounds on short time scales, ejecting them into interstellar space.
A comprehensive study found that biofuels produced from West Coast forests would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than current forest management practices. The study examined various forest types and management approaches, concluding that even optimal efficiency levels would increase emissions by up to 14%.
A team led by Steven Davis tracked and quantified global carbon dioxide emissions across the supply chain. They found that regulating fossil fuels extracted in major countries like China, US, and Russia could cover 67% of global emissions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully created a catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into fuel using artificial photosynthesis. The innovation uses an ionic liquid to reduce energy requirements, making it more efficient.
A new report by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute identifies gaps in Panama's forest monitoring, making it difficult to track emission reductions from REDD+ activities. The study emphasizes the need for low-cost, verifiable forest monitoring techniques to verify the effectiveness of conservation strategies.
A Rice University research team is developing a novel system for separating CO2 from power plant smoke stacks. The technology uses waste heat and specialized materials to filter liquids and gases, aiming to significantly reduce energy requirements compared to existing methods.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that financial support for new technologies is necessary to cost-effectively protect the climate. The simulation shows that without targeted funding, high-cost reduction potential energy technologies will struggle to compete with familiar technologies.
A recent study suggests that relying on natural gas instead of coal would fail to significantly slow down climate change. The research found that a shift in energy sources could lead to a slight increase in worldwide warming over the next 40 years, with temperatures eventually dropping by only a few tenths of a degree.
A study found that expressing nitrous oxide emissions per unit of crop yield, rather than on a more conventional per area basis, produced significantly different results. Emissions were 52% higher under no-till compared to conventional tillage for the same amount of grain.
Empa researchers found significant discrepancies in greenhouse gas emissions reports, particularly from Western European countries. The study reveals that countries like Italy and the Netherlands underreported their HFC-23 emissions, while others like France and Germany reported accurate figures.
New research reveals that established forests remove 2.4 billion tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually, equivalent to one third of current annual fossil fuel emissions. This is a significant breakthrough demonstrating how forests impact atmospheric CO2 levels through tree growth and expansion.
Researchers have introduced a scenario that assumes action will be taken to limit emissions, showing a lowest cost option to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to less than 40% higher than today. The RCP 4.5 scenario includes nuclear and renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and forest preservation to achieve this goal.
A new NOAA study shows that cutting emissions of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases could slow changes in climate. By reducing emissions of these gases, warming influence could be diminished substantially within a couple of decades.
Researchers at the University of Miami have developed a technique to track urban atmospheric plumes using ethanol's isotopic signature, which can indicate the presence of manmade biofuels. The discovery has significant implications for understanding air pollution in urban areas and mitigating its effects on human health.
The study assesses the impact of ocean acidification on mollusk harvests worldwide, particularly in poor and developing nations. Nations with high dependence on shellfish and lack of aquaculture are most vulnerable, with Senegal, Madagascar, Gambia, Mozambique, and Haiti expected to be heavily impacted.
A new study of Swedish lakes suggests that power station emissions may have played a smaller role in acidifying the lakes than previously assessed. Organic carbon from living organisms has been found to be a significant contributor to lake acidity, and pre-industrial levels were likely even higher.
A recent study found that hydroelectric reservoirs emit significantly less carbon dioxide and methane than previously estimated, with an annual emission of 48 million metric tons. The research analyzed 85 globally-distributed reservoirs and concluded that these systems are not major contributors to the greenhouse gas problem.
A new study shows that reducing nitrogen pollution from wastewater treatment plants can come with significant economic benefits, including up to $600 million per year. The study also found that using emissions credits could create an incentive for utilities to adopt technologies that reduce climate pollution and improve water quality.
Researchers found that reduced forest harvest levels led to increased carbon sequestration, making public lands a significant carbon sink. This discovery highlights the importance of forests in addressing global warming concerns.
Agricultural Research Service scientists monitored emissions from a commercial dairy in southern Idaho, revealing that open-lot pens generate the majority of facility's ammonia, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions. The study provides detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study suggests that growing perennial grasses on underproductive farmland used for corn ethanol production could lead to higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre, and better groundwater quality. The switch would also slash emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
A new study reveals that urban vegetation in Leicester stores 231,000 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 3.16 kg C per square metre of the city. Planting more trees, particularly large ones, could increase this pool by 12%.
University of Toronto chemists have developed a novel chemical reaction method to recycle carbon dioxide into liquid methanol fuel. The approach utilizes frustrated Lewis pairs and has the potential to be highly efficient and cost-effective, offering a promising solution to greenhouse gas emissions.
US and Swiss researchers created two high-carbon emission scenarios to test the boundaries of current computer simulation programs. The AllCoal scenario projected a complete loss of summer Arctic sea ice by 2070 and significant warming above the IPCC's entire range of scenarios.
Researchers at Aalto University found that carbon emissions are linked to income and consumption habits, with rich individuals producing more CO2. The study used a hybrid life cycle analysis approach to quantify carbon emissions by looking at production, monetary transactions, and consumption statistics.
An integrated approach combining agriculture and forestry is more effective than sparing land for forests through agricultural intensification. Agroforestry enriches soil conditions and acts as a carbon stock, helping mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that ancient global warming, known as the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), saw slower rate of carbon emissions compared to current levels. The study suggests that humankind's carbon footprint may be accelerating modern climate change.
A new report by US and European researchers found that world forests are becoming larger carbon sinks due to increased density, with no significant expansion of forest area. This increase in density helped maintain regional carbon levels despite deforestation, offering a way to mitigate carbon emissions through managed forestry.
A new drag reduction method could help shipping industries reduce energy use and carbon emissions by creating an insulating vapour layer around the ship's hot body. The Leidenfrost effect is used to minimize drag on fast-moving projectiles in water, with potential applications in ocean transport and high-pressure pumping.