Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
A study by the USDA found that keeping dairy cows outdoors year-round lowers ammonia emissions by 30% and greenhouse gas emissions by 8%. Well-managed outdoor dairy herds also sequester more carbon in fields converted to perennial grasslands.
A new MIT study highlights the variability in greenhouse gas emissions from alternative fuels, suggesting that conventional fossil fuels may sometimes be a more environmentally friendly choice. The research found that different types of land used for biofuel production can result in varying levels of carbon dioxide emissions, with some...
Researchers at Carnegie Institution claim that carbon emissions are more closely tied to consumption patterns than territorial boundaries. The study found that the average person in developed countries emits more CO2 per capita than their counterparts in developing countries, highlighting the need to consider all drivers of emissions.
A report by Princeton University engineers suggests that removing carbon dioxide from the air is not a viable economic solution for slowing climate change. The study found that such technologies would be more expensive than preventing emissions in the first place.
A new Berkeley Lab study forecasts China's energy use will level off, even as its population edges past 1.4 billion, due to saturation in energy demand for appliances and housing. The report also predicts significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through increased adoption of electric cars, nuclear power, and improved energy e...
A New Zealand study found that adding biochar to soil can decrease nitrous oxide emissions from grazing animals' urine by up to 70%. The incorporation of biochar also alters nitrogen transformations and reduces ammonia formation, leading to lower nitrate concentrations.
Scientists found that sugarcane has a double benefit: reducing carbon emissions and cooling the local climate. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that expanding sugarcane crops in areas previously occupied by other Brazilian crops can lower air temperatures by up to 1.67°F (0.93°C).
A new study by researchers at UC Berkeley reveals that who you are and where you live significantly affect which activities have the largest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An online calculator allows households to track and reduce their carbon footprint by analyzing location, lifestyle, and household type.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists found that black carbon aerosols have a greater effect on surface warming when emitted near the land and ocean surface. However, as altitude increases, surface warming decreases, while cooling occurs in the stratosphere.
A recent study published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology found that US forests can sequester up to 40% of the nation's fossil fuel carbon emissions. However, widespread droughts can cut this amount by about 20%.
A study suggests that cutting Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by a half within 20 years is achievable through the use of smart meters, improved recycling, and greener building designs. The researchers recommend carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions from industry and coal-fired power plants.
Cities globally are failing to prepare for climate change impacts, despite billions of urban dwellers being vulnerable to heat waves, sea level rise, and other changes. Many cities lack effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect residents.
New research reveals mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by storing vast amounts of carbon. The study found that mangrove destruction contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with potential impacts of up to 10% of global deforestation emissions.
A recent study found that mangroves store up to four times more carbon per hectare than most tropical forests. The high-carbon storage capacity of mangroves can be attributed to their deep organic-rich soils and complex root systems.
A new study by Indiana University professor Evan Ringquist finds that emissions trading programs do not create heavily polluted areas in minority and low-income communities. The study analyzed data from the sulfur dioxide allowance trading program and found no evidence of 'hot spots' or increased pollution in these areas.
A new Nature paper suggests that carbon labeling can encourage both consumers and manufacturers to make better environmental choices. By providing information on product carbon footprints, labeling can reduce emissions in households by influencing consumer decisions and encouraging firms to identify efficiencies in their supply chains.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from intensive grazing systems. The research, conducted in New Zealand, showed a 70% decrease in nitrous oxide fluxes when biochar was added to the soil. This effect was attributed to reduced ammonia formation and its adsorption onto biochar.
The University of Houston will retrofit 10 school buses with a new technology designed to reduce ozone pollutants emitted by diesel-powered vehicles. The goal is to achieve a 65% reduction in NOx emissions, and the study's findings will determine whether the technology can be approved for use on larger scales.
A team of US Department of Agriculture scientists found that moderate cattle grazing can improve soil health and sequester carbon and nitrogen. Decades of plowing have degraded the soil in the Piedmont region, but researchers discovered that grasses planted on eroded land and grazed by beef cattle can restore soil quality.
Experts warn that doubling energy demand by 2050 poses significant challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Berkeley scientists stress the need for efficient energy use, low-carbon electricity options, and strategic behavioral changes to meet state's ambitious goal.
Indonesia aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but contradictions in laws, regulations, and customary norms hinder progress. The country's forest management policies create hotspots of confusion over what constitutes 'peat' and 'natural forest', leading to ongoing conflicts between industry, government, and local communities.
The Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone identifies emission reduction measures that can immediately protect climate, public health, and ecosystems. Implementing these measures could reduce future global warming by 0.5oC and potentially halve the projected increase in global temperature by 2050.
A researcher has developed an eco-labeling system to provide environmental information on product carbon footprints, enabling consumers to make informed choices. The system, based on a method composed of financial accounts, estimates the ecological and carbon footprint of goods and services throughout their life cycle.
A new study estimates that up to two-thirds of Earth's permafrost will disappear by 2200, unleashing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The team predicts a release of roughly 190 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to half of the amount released since the Industrial Age.
Research shows that even if all greenhouse gas emissions stopped now, Earth would still experience warming due to lingering emissions and aerosol particles. Temperatures could rise up to 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than pre-Industrial Revolution levels.
A new study finds that coral reefs are more vulnerable to weakening due to ocean acidification and global warming, especially in developing countries. Effective local management efforts can help maintain coral resilience while carbon emissions are stabilized.
Researchers warn that wolverines' habitat is likely to warm dramatically due to climate change, threatening their survival. Snowpack that lasts through winter and well into spring is crucial for wolverine young, but projected warming could imperil their ability to adapt.
Climate change is projected to reduce or eliminate springtime snow cover that wolverines rely on for newborn kits' protection. August temperatures may also increase dramatically, posing a significant threat to the species' survival. The study focused on mountainous regions of the Northwest and warned of potential habitat loss.
The research aims to mitigate Arctic climate change by reducing black carbon emissions at mid-latitudes and Europe. The study will assess the impact of black carbon on Arctic climate and its links with warming caused by carbon dioxide.
A carbon swap bank could lead to genuine reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, according to Australian researchers. The concept allows for direct deposits of sequestered carbon and withdrawals of emission rights, bypassing issues with accurate measurement and international regulation.
Leading climate economist William Nordhaus advocates for carbon taxes as a means to achieve significant emissions reductions, citing economic inefficiency and ineffectiveness of cap-and-trade systems. A carbon tax could also provide a revenue source to curb budget deficits while meeting environmental objectives.
A new national study reveals that streams and rivers produce significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than previously estimated, with nitrous oxide emissions from river networks making up at least 10 percent of human-caused emissions. This research highlights the importance of effective mitigation strategies to reduce nitrogen inp...
A new USGS study models the impact of reduced greenhouse gas emissions on Arctic sea-ice loss and polar bear habitats. The research indicates that lowered emissions could help preserve polar bears in all four ecoregions where they exist, reversing projected declines in population size.
A study by the Spanish Railways Foundation found that high-speed trains, such as the AVE, consume 29% less energy and produce 31kg less CO2 per passenger compared to traditional trains. The main advantage of high-speed lines is not in reducing fossil fuel consumption, but in attracting passengers who would otherwise travel by air or car.
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) emphasizes the need for a whole landscape approach in REDD+, considering land uses beyond forests to address deforestation drivers. This approach can help reduce problems like carbon leakage and improve forest governance.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers shows that clean energy investments in rural areas can help alleviate poverty and reduce carbon emissions. In Nicaragua, a community went from using diesel generators to efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, resulting in a 28% drop in energy use and 37% reduction in electricity bills.
A new study by University of California, Riverside scientists found that a hybrid electric tugboat reduces emissions of soot by 73%, oxides of nitrogen by 51%, and carbon dioxide by 27%. The study's findings are significant due to the heavy impact port pollution has on regional air quality.
Despite the financial crisis, global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are expected to rise by over 3% in 2010, reversing previous declines. Meanwhile, deforestation-related emissions have decreased by over 25% since 2000.
The Deep Impact spacecraft flew through a 'snowstorm' of fluffy particles on its encounter with comet Hartley 2, providing new insights into the nature and composition of comets. The spacecraft's High Resolution Imager captured images of clouds of large ice particles surrounding the nucleus, revealing a unique process driven by CO2 jets.
Scientists from the University of Maryland's EPOXI mission have discovered that dry ice is the 'jet' fuel for comets, including Hartley 2. The discovery reveals that solar heating of subsurface frozen carbon dioxide is powering the comet's jets, which are rich in CO2 gas and particles of dust and ice.
University of Maryland researchers developed a scheme to detect concealed radioactive material without searching containers one by one. The concept uses gamma-ray emission from the material ionizing the surrounding air, facilitated by high-power, coherent terahertz or infrared radiation.
A Spanish study estimates that the average person emits approximately two tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from food production to excretion, accounting for over 20% of total yearly emissions. Human excrements contribute significantly to water pollution with nitrogen and phosphorus, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
The University of New Hampshire will lead a $700,000 study on greenhouse gas emissions at traditional and organic dairy farms. The three-year project aims to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers by developing extension programs and decision-support tools.
Canadian researchers have made a breakthrough in CO2 capture by identifying the exact sites where CO2 is held in a capture material. This discovery enables scientists to design better materials to capture more CO2, potentially mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from coal-burning flue stacks or unconventional natural gas reservoirs.
Carbon dioxide emissions from UK consumption grew by 217 Million tonnes(Mt) of carbon dioxide from increased spending, while efficiency improvements led to reductions of 148 Mt, resulting in a net growth of 69 Mt. The study highlights the importance of taking a global perspective when analyzing CO2 emission patterns.
A new study finds that slowing population growth could significantly impact global carbon dioxide emissions, with urbanization and aging playing crucial roles. By mid-century, a slowdown in population growth could account for 16-29% of the emission reductions necessary to keep global temperatures from causing serious impacts.
The IT industry is on pace to grow its carbon emissions at twice the rate of its contributions to gross domestic product. The study found that green innovation will be essential for ICT profitability in a carbon-constrained economy.