Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
A new study found that a slowing of population growth could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with slower growth paths by 2050 accounting for 16-29% of necessary emissions reductions. Urbanization and aging also play significant roles in shaping future emissions.
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.
A new BMBF-funded research group is tackling climate change by recycling CO2 into valuable chemicals. The team, led by Dr. Jennifer Strunk, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using light and water to convert CO2.
A new study finds that crop productivity improvements and carbon emission limits can work together to prevent tropical deforestation over the next 100 years. The research suggests that increasing crop yields while implementing economic incentives to store carbon in forests can help preserve tropical forests and even increase their extent.
A new report warns that national targets in the Copenhagen Accord may not be enough to limit global warming to 2°C, threatening a 4.2°C rise in temperature and the destruction of coral reefs by 2100.
Scientists at the University of Manchester suggest using building district heating schemes with sustainable fuels could drastically reduce greenhouse gases while being cost-effective. The plans have been met with majority support from focus groups in the UK public.
Studies have shown that hybrid cars achieve up to twice the efficiency in city driving, resulting in significant fuel consumption and CO2 emission reductions. Natural gas fueled vehicles also offer a comparable alternative with additional economy benefits.
Scientists warn that avoiding dangerous climate change requires steep cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, cars, and other devices. New research suggests that existing infrastructure is less of a threat to climate than expected, but building the right low-carbon energy technologies now is crucial.
Current energy technologies, such as solar and wind electricity, are not enough to achieve massive market penetration due to limitations in storage and intermittent power supply. Additionally, reliance on fossil fuels is growing again, driven by increasing demand for natural gas and oil as production peaks.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of carbon storage and emissions in the Peruvian Amazon, revealing patterns that differ among forest types and geology. The study's findings could inform the United Nations' REDD initiative and provide financial incentives to reduce deforestation and degradation.
Researchers used computer simulations to predict the impact of mitigation policies on ocean acidification. A peak year of emissions and post-peak reduction rates significantly influence ocean acidity increases by 2100. The study suggests that substantial emission reductions need to occur as soon as possible.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are using ARPA-E funding to develop cost-effective techniques for removing large volumes of carbon dioxide from flue gases. They will use hollow-fiber composite membranes with nanoporous metal-organic framework materials to separate CO2, with the goal of achieving a 90% removal rate.
A new report by the American Society of Agronomy highlights the role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions and capture. The study finds that adopting conservation agricultural systems can increase carbon sequestration and reduce GHG emissions. However, knowledge gaps remain in understanding the effectiveness of these practices.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed an integrated system that stores excess energy and uses it to supply electricity during peak demand. This innovative system cuts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions and capturing carbon dioxide in solid form for storage.
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%.