Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A study suggests that biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from plants and organic materials, can sustainably offset up to 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar holds onto its carbon for hundreds or thousands of years, keeping greenhouse gases out of the air longer.
The Center for Inorganic Membrane Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will demonstrate a palladium membrane system to separate hydrogen from coal gas, aiming to lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project is part of an $8.5M program to advance clean energy technologies.
A recent study by Brown-MBL researchers estimates that reducing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon state could lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that achieving a goal of 89% reduction in deforestation rates by 2020 would result in lower net emissions, with up to 6.3 billion metric tons of CO...
A study by the Basque Center for Climate Change finds that CO2 reduction policies in Spain strengthen the services sector, while reducing industrial and energy sectors' impact. The policies encourage minor changes in consumption patterns and may lead to emissions reductions through tax creation.
New research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln estimates that US military protection of supertankers in the Persian Gulf generates 34.4 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually. This finding highlights the need for regulators to include these emissions in comparisons of gasoline and biofuels.
Research at Uppsala University found a strong connection between lake sediment temperature and carbon dioxide production. A warmer climate is expected to increase carbon dioxide emissions by 4-27% over the next hundred years due to decreased organic carbon deposition.
The project focuses on advancing ECBM recovery and providing a pathway to near zero emissions technology from coal-fired power. ECBM involves injecting CO2 into coal seams to displace methane, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by storing CO2 underground.
A new study using a global model confirms that implementing cool roofs and pavements in cities can cancel the heating effect of up to two years of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking 300 million cars off the road. This can help delay warming and mitigate global climate change.
Removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere would cool the planet, but complexities of the carbon cycle limit its effectiveness. A long-term commitment spanning decades or centuries is required to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations low.
A new study published in Energy Policy suggests that reducing electricity consumption can have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions from power stations, with some studies showing rates as high as 0.69 kilograms of CO2 per kilowatt hour, 60% higher than the current estimated figure.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have engineered photosynthetic bacteria to produce simple sugars and lactic acid, offering a sustainable alternative for producing commodity chemicals. This innovation could lead to reduced carbon dioxide emissions and greater availability of biodegradable plastics.
Large-scale carbon sequestration could help avoid extreme global warming, but its effectiveness is uncertain due to leakage risks. Geological storage appears more effective in delaying climate consequences with minimal CO2 leakage rates.
James C. Liao, UCLA professor, receives Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for his groundbreaking work on recycling carbon dioxide into products used in alternative transportation fuels or chemical feedstock. His technology addresses the problems hampering the development of bio-based chemicals and fuels.
A WHOI scientist's comprehensive report evaluates the impact of human activities on ocean chemistry, revealing widespread changes in seawater acidity, oxygen levels, and mercury pollution. The research highlights the need for deeper understanding and coordination to address these issues.
High-yield agriculture has prevented massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 590 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. The research estimates that yield improvements reduced the need to convert forests to farmland, a process that generates significant greenhouse gas emissions.
A new report found that high-yield crop varieties developed during the Green Revolution have helped keep greenhouse gas emissions at bay, avoiding nearly 600 billion tons of CO2. The study estimated that agricultural research has averted carbon dioxide emissions at a cost of about $4 per ton of CO2.
New research suggests that reduced deforestation rates in the Amazon may lead to increased fire incidences, potentially offsetting carbon savings from the UN's REDD programme. Sustainable land management practices are needed to prevent this.
A new approach calculates the change in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from changes in land use, taking into account factors such as plant density and ecosystem vulnerability. This comprehensive method provides a more accurate assessment of land-use projects' impact on climate change.
Global air traffic will significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, doubling or tripling by 2050. The increase in emissions will be driven by the growing number of flights and the lack of improvement in fuel efficiency.
A study examined the impact of grazing management on greenhouse gas emissions from grasslands. Native grasslands were found to be strong sinks of soil organic carbon and minor sources of methane, while seeded pastures emitted higher amounts of nitrous oxide.
Scientists review eight strategies to increase forest carbon storage, including afforestation, urban forestry, and biomass energy, while acknowledging the need for cost-effective methods and regulation. The current carbon offset of 12-19% in US forests is not permanent but has potential to increase with careful management.
Researchers at PNNL present new insights into carbon capture and storage, highlighting potential deployment scenarios in the US and cost-effective opportunities in China. The technology has significant promise for mitigating climate change, with potential to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The new superconducting cable can transport up to 110 MVA of electricity, a fivefold increase over conventional copper cables, reducing energy loss by 50-70% and saving significant amounts of CO2 emissions. The technology has the potential to reduce primary energy consumption by 10-15%.
Researchers recommend stabilizing carbon dioxide concentrations, fashioning warming-neutral pollution laws, and achieving immediate cooling through reductions in greenhouse gases. The proposed strategies aim to reduce the probability of reaching the temperature threshold to less than 10 percent before 2050.
Researchers calculated that a warming of 12 degrees Fahrenheit would cause some areas to surpass the wet-bulb temperature limit, while a 21-degree warming would put half of the world's population in an uninhabitable environment. Prolonged temperatures above 95 degrees could be intolerable for hours.
Researchers propose a multi-faceted approach to avoid exceeding the 2-degree C temperature threshold, including reducing methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and other greenhouse gases. They advocate for aggressive simultaneous pursuit of strategies to stabilize CO2 concentrations and implement warming-neutral pollution laws.
A new study published by the University of Edinburgh confirms that plant leaves account for less than 1% of global methane emissions, contradicting previous claims. The research suggests that trees can effectively offset greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage.
A new study by the Rochester Institute of Technology indicates that E20 fuel blends reduce tail pipe emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide without impacting vehicle drivability. The research found an average emissions reduction of 23% for carbon monoxide and 13% for hydrocarbon emissions compared to conventional gasoline.
Scientists warn of ocean acidification, a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The 'evil twin' of global warming is causing the oceans to become increasingly acidic, potentially leading to mass extinctions.
Researchers have discovered a new material that can remove up to 90% of carbon dioxide from flue gases, offering a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The material, derived from aminosilicones found in hair conditioners and fabric softeners, is cheaper and more efficient than current technologies.
A report by air quality expert Frank Mitloehner rejects the claim that reducing meat and dairy consumption can combat climate change. Instead, he suggests focusing on more efficient farming practices in developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study finds that prescribed burns can reduce fire emissions of carbon dioxide in the West by an average of 18 to 25 percent. Prescribed fires are designed to burn underbrush and small trees, reducing the chances of subsequent high-severity wildfires and protecting large trees and keeping more carbon locked up in the forest.
A new study highlights the effectiveness of forest protected areas in slowing climate change by reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The study estimates that protecting areas could prevent an estimated 100,000 square miles of deforestation through 2050, equivalent to 1/3 of the world's annual CO2 emissions.
A Stanford study finds urban CO2 domes cause local temperature increases and worsen air pollution, leading to increased deaths. The research contradicts current cap-and-trade proposals that fail to account for local emissions' health impacts.
Researchers found that increased production of maize-derived ethanol in the US could lead to significant land-use changes, resulting in higher carbon dioxide emissions. The study suggests that these indirect effects may cancel out any benefits from reducing global warming.
A new study by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that many developed countries outsource their carbon emissions to developing countries, with some emitting up to four times more CO2 per person than they consume. The research highlights the need for global climate policy to account for emissions embodied in trade.
Researchers from Moors for the Future Partnership are using techniques like re-establishing heather plants, rebuilding paths, and gully blocking to reduce erosion. These methods aim to absorb around 400,000 tonnes of carbon a year, equivalent to 1.1 billion car miles or 84,000 family-sized cars.
Pioneering research reveals policymakers are underestimating the scale of CO2 emission reductions required to mitigate climate change. A computer software developed at the University of Manchester helps authorities in different countries troubleshoot their approaches to emissions.
Carbon capture and storage technology is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions, but its widespread deployment requires a regulatory policy with a market incentive. Rubin argues that effective climate policies are necessary to incentivize the development of cleaner energy alternatives.
A UCI study found that urban 'green' spaces, including lawns, can emit more greenhouse gases than they absorb through photosynthesis and soil storage. Turfgrass management practices like fertilizer use, mowing, and leaf blowing contribute to significant emissions.
Researchers at Queen's University suggest examining GHG emissions implications for energy infrastructure to optimize greenhouse gas emission reductions. They propose using dynamic life-cycle analyses to determine carbon-neutral growth rates, which could help policy makers restructure renewable energy production.
Climate experts propose international research and field-testing on solar-radiation management (SRM) to limit climate change impacts. SRM could offset this century's predicted global average temperature rise more than 100 times cheaper than cutting emissions.
A team of scientists is tracking carbon captured by plants and grasses to develop more efficient ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Bioenergy crops could reduce emissions by several million tonnes in the UK over the next decade.
A UCI study found that urban green spaces, particularly lawns, can actually contribute to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production, mowing, and other maintenance practices. The study suggests that these emissions outweigh the carbon sequestration benefits of lawns.
A Scripps/LLNL team has won a grant to improve greenhouse gas emissions verification using continuous atmospheric measurements. The method will focus on industrially produced gases with limited sources, aiming to create reliable computer representations of emissions activity.
A study published in Psychological Science found that labels can influence people's attitudes towards certain policies. In a study, participants were offered the choice between two identical items with different prices, one labeled as a carbon offset and the other as a carbon tax. The results showed that Democrats supported the offset ...
A new study suggests that policymakers should focus on achieving mid-century emission targets to preserve long-term options for avoiding dangerous levels of warming. The research identifies critical mid-century thresholds that would make particular goals unachievable with current energy technologies.
Researchers propose using buried volcanic rocks to store carbon dioxide emitted by power plants, with potential sites identified off northern New Jersey, Long Island and Massachusetts. The study suggests that deep burial in these basalt formations could help reduce risks of leaks.
A new report highlights the benefits of reducing emissions from deforestation, including conservation of carbon and biodiversity hotspots. However, it also warns of challenges in implementing REDD without displacing agricultural activities in lower-carbon but equally biodiverse areas.
A new pan-tropical forest mapping initiative, launched at COP15, aims to provide accurate data on forest cover and carbon stocks. The project combines satellite and lidar data from NASA and JAXA, enabling countries to build robust national carbon accounting systems.
Researchers at UCLA have genetically modified a cyanobacterium to consume carbon dioxide and produce isobutanol, a potential gasoline alternative. This method recycles carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and uses solar energy, making it an efficient and less expensive approach than current biofuel production methods.
The USGS estimates that the nation's forests and soils could store an additional 3-7 billion metric tons of carbon, equivalent to 2-4 years of US CO2 emissions. This potential is achieved by using agricultural lands for planting forests.
A new study suggests that Brazil can end deforestation in the Amazon by 2020 with the help of market forces and government will. The estimated cost of achieving this goal is between $6.5 billion to $18 billion, which would result in a 2-5% reduction in global carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers from the University of Valladolid have measured CO2 levels in a rural area near Valladolid, finding significant increases between 2002 and 2005. The study reveals an annual increase of 3 ppm, highlighting the impact of emissions and atmospheric conditions on carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers propose a novel configuration of existing components to create a power plant that runs on natural gas without emitting greenhouse gases. The system has the advantage of producing clean water as a side benefit and could be retrofitted with carbon capture technologies.
A University of Minnesota study found that elevated CO2 levels can reduce species richness by 16 percent under ambient conditions, but this effect is halved when more CO2 is added. The interaction between CO2 and nitrogen enrichment ameliorates biodiversity loss, offering relief in the fight against environmental degradation
A new strategy proposes a biodiversity-focused approach to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation, favoring high-biodiversity nations in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. This approach has been shown to contribute more to slowing biodiversity loss than traditional carbon-based credit scenarios.
A new study suggests that safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is key to preventing climate change in Indian cities. By prioritizing non-motorized transport, cities like Delhi can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save lives from road traffic injuries, and promote physical activity.
The study found that peatland fires in Indonesia released up to 900 million metric tons of CO2 in 2006, equivalent to 16% of deforestation worldwide emissions. Peatlands store enormous amounts of organic carbon, and human activities like drainage and deforestation make them vulnerable to fire.
A series of studies published in The Lancet show that cutting greenhouse gases can directly reduce premature deaths and improve global health, particularly in low-income countries. The research highlights the co-benefits of tackling climate change by reducing air pollution and improving public health.