Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
A Yale geophysicist has found that the world's oceans are absorbing less carbon dioxide over the past 50 years. This reduced absorption rate could lead to faster climate change due to a longer lag time between temperature fluctuations and CO2 level changes.
Global CO2 emissions increased by 29% since 2000, with a tripling of annual growth rate compared to the 1990s. The report attributes the rise to increasing production and trade of manufactured products, shifting from oil to coal.
New research reveals that European forests and grasslands can only compensate for 15% of the continent's carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural land and peat-lands cancel out almost all carbon sink, leaving a net effect of only 2%.
A University of Utah scientist argues that energy conservation doesn't save energy, but instead spurs economic growth and accelerated energy consumption. The study finds a constant link between global energy use and accumulated economic productivity, tied to a physical constant of 9.7 milliwatts per inflation-adjusted dollar.
Scientists estimate a decline in the oceans' ability to absorb manmade carbon, potentially impacting future climate. The study found that the proportion of fossil-fuel emissions absorbed by the oceans since 2000 may have declined by up to 10%.
Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities reached an all-time high of 1.3 tonnes of carbon per capita per year in 2008, driven mainly by increased use of coal. The global effort to reduce emissions from human activity must be accelerated to avoid the worst-case scenario of climate change.
Global fossil fuel CO2 emissions increased by 29% between 2008 and 2000 due to growing coal use and international trade. The natural carbon sinks' efficiency has decreased, allowing more CO2 to remain in the atmosphere. This rise highlights the need for drastic reduction in global CO2 emissions.
A team of scientists argue that slowing global warming through REDD policies may not fully protect biodiversity. The researchers suggest that careless implementation could lead to the degradation of high-biodiversity areas instead.
A new UN climate treaty may inadvertently increase the risk of extinction for some species as governments prioritize reducing deforestation in high-carbon forests. The REDD scheme aims to curb carbon emissions by financially rewarding tropical countries that reduce forest clearance.
A new study reveals that the healthcare industry in the US accounts for nearly 10% of the country's total carbon dioxide emissions, despite only accounting for 16% of the nation's gross domestic product. Hospitals and pharmaceutical industries are among the largest contributors to this environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new adsorption technology that makes carbon a key material in green heating products, reducing domestic fuel bills and CO2 emissions. The technology can create heat pumps that are up to 20 times smaller than previously possible, with potential savings of 30% or more.
The study found that terrestrial ecosystems and oceans have a much greater capacity to absorb CO2 than previously thought, with the airborne fraction of CO2 remaining stable at 0.7% per decade since 1850. This challenges recent research suggesting a decrease in absorption capacity as CO2 emissions rise.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that everyday actions such as home weatherization and vehicle maintenance can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research estimated that these measures could cut total US carbon emissions by 5% over five years and 7.4% in 10 years.
An international team of top climate scientists has found a critical error in the carbon accounting method used to measure compliance with carbon limits. The flaw could create strong economic incentives for large-scale land conversion, which would exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study finds that a global biofuels program could result in twice as much carbon loss from displaced food crops and pastures as the CO2 emissions from land dedicated to biofuels production. Increased fertilizer use for biofuels production also causes significant nitrous oxide emissions, potentially surpassing CO2 emissions by 2100.
A fixable error in carbon counting could undermine biofuels' effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Correct accounting is crucial to mitigate climate change and protect investments. Bioenergy can capture more carbon than existing plants, but cutting down forests to replace them releases more CO2.
Researchers argue that short- and medium-lived pollutants like soot, ozone, and methane contribute significantly to near-term climate change. Experts recommend adopting aggressive reduction targets for these pollutants and establishing a new treaty framework.
A team of scientists identified an error in climate treaty accounting rules for bioenergy that could encourage deforestation. The error stems from exempting carbon dioxide from bioenergy use without counting land-use emissions, creating perverse incentives to clear land.
Experts Dr. David B. Rutledge and Robert C. Milici present opposing views on US coal peak production, with Rutledge estimating ultimate production at 665 billion metric tons and predicting mitigation of CO2 emissions from climate change. Milici's model predicts a range of 2062-2105 for peak production, citing uncertainty in reserve est...
The study highlights the need for a portfolio of measures to minimize climate change impacts while allowing city growth. It emphasizes protecting homes from flooding and reducing carbon emissions, water usage, and moving towards cleaner transport.
A feasibility study on new carbon capture and storage technology has been funded for the $140 billion pulp, paper and paperboard industry. The study aims to assess the potential for safely storing CO2 in deep underground basalt formations.
Researchers at Louisiana Tech University have developed innovative geopolymer concrete technology that utilizes fly ash to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%. The new material boasts higher corrosion resistance, fire resistance, and compressive strength compared to traditional Portland cement.
A new study documents how climate, population density and factors affect GHG emissions in global cities, with Denver releasing the largest amount of gases and Barcelona the smallest. The study identifies strategies for reducing emissions, including carbon reduction and efficient transportation systems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a pressurized oxy-fuel combustion system that reduces energy penalty and increases efficiency of carbon capture systems for power plants. The technology aims to make carbon sequestration more practical and affordable, helping to curb global climate change.
The Field Museum has received a three-year grant to establish new conservation landscapes in Amazonian Peru. The project aims to secure legal protection for high-priority forests and indigenous territories, while also promoting sustainable management and financing through the REDD voluntary carbon market.
The authors emphasize the need for radical reductions in CO2 emissions to prevent catastrophic climate change, highlighting its impact on global health and human well-being. They advocate for a low-carbon diet, clean power, and sustainable agriculture to achieve a healthier and more equal society.
A new scrubbing process developed by PNNL uses acid gas-binding organic liquids to capture sulfur dioxide, CO2, and other acid gases. This process requires less energy than current methods and can capture double the amount of harmful gases.
Researchers at Caltech have identified epoxides as a key player in atmospheric chemistry, finding that these chemicals can form secondary organic aerosol. This process has significant implications for human health and climate change.
A recent study by Oregon State University statisticians reveals that having one less child can significantly reduce an individual's carbon legacy and greenhouse gas impact. The research found that the average long-term carbon impact of a child born in the U.S. is more than 160 times greater than that of a child born in Bangladesh.
A new scientific discussion paper highlights the profound impact of human activity on the world's oceans, with carbon emissions affecting marine biological processes and threatening food security. The study warns that rates of physical change in the oceans are unprecedented and may lead to major shifts in marine ecosystems.
A Cornell study found that regulating traffic density and encouraging public transportation can significantly impact local air quality. The Chinese government's measures during the 2008 Olympics resulted in notable reductions in car emissions of black carbon, carbon dioxide, and ultrafine particles.
A new set of policy briefs from Carnegie Mellon University recommends a uniform regulatory environment to support large-scale deployment of carbon sequestration technology in the US. The team proposes an adaptive two-stage approach to regulation and specific changes to federal law and agency rules to address regulatory and legal barriers.
A new method for capturing CO2 from flue gas has been developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The approach uses ionic liquids as a solvent to separate carbon dioxide from its source, overcoming the shortcomings of existing methods, such as non-selectivity and corrosiveness.
A new method developed by Princeton University scientists can divide carbon emissions responsibility among countries more fairly, targeting high polluters globally. The approach uses individual emissions to calculate a nation's responsibility to curb its output of carbon dioxide.
Researchers found that plants played a critical role in maintaining stable carbon dioxide levels during the last ice age, preventing runaway 'icehouse' conditions. The team's discovery highlights the importance of plant buffering agents in controlling atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
The study found that hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will become an increasingly larger factor in future climate warming if business-as-usual trends continue. By 2050, HFC emissions could contribute 7-12% to climate change, exceeding CO2's current contribution.
A new study found that geoengineering solutions to counter global warming would have a minimal impact on ocean acidification, which threatens coral reefs and marine life. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is considered a more effective safeguard against climate change.
Researchers have discovered a direct relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, allowing for the estimation of climate change based on cumulative carbon emissions. The study suggests that limiting total carbon emissions is crucial to avoid dangerous climate change.
A new report finds that paying to conserve billions of tons of carbon stored in tropical forests could also protect endangered large mammals like orangutans and pygmy elephants. The study, published in Conservation Letters, demonstrates a link between forest protection and biodiversity conservation.
A new study suggests that including land use changes in greenhouse gas control strategies can lead to lower costs and preserved forests. The study found that valuing terrestrial carbon emissions can reduce the cost of reducing global emissions by half compared to only taxing industrial and fossil fuel emissions.
Researchers found that tundra plant growth may initially keep up with rising CO2, but ultimately can't soak up excess carbon from thawing permafrost. This could lead to a significant increase in atmospheric carbon, highlighting the urgent need to address human-caused emissions.
Scientists from the POLARCAT campaign found that agricultural fires in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and other countries are releasing large amounts of soot into the atmosphere, accelerating melting of snow and ice. This report highlights the importance of controlling these emissions as a supplemental strategy to reduce carbon dioxide.
A new analysis by the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model suggests that climate change could be twice as severe as initially estimated, with a median probability of surface warming of 5.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The study found that improved economic modeling and newer data on emissions are contributing to this increased risk.
The $9.16m Carbon Benefits Project aims to encourage sustainable development schemes that generate climate adaptation, mitigation and conservation benefits. The innovative web-based system will measure and model greenhouse gas emissions produced and stored in soil and vegetation.
Researchers discovered that sweltering summers in the southeastern US can lead to a cooling haze due to the mixing of manmade pollutants with natural compounds from forests and vegetation. This effect was found to be significant enough to outpace carbon dioxide emissions' warming effects by 2-to-1.
A NASA study estimates that climate change fuels Asian wildfires, increasing carbon dioxide emissions by a factor of 10 during dry El Niño years. The research used satellite data and computer models to analyze the impact of drought on fire spread and intensity in regions like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
A new report emphasizes the importance of retrofitting existing UK buildings to reduce carbon emissions. The UK's 24 million existing buildings would need significant attention to reduce their emissions by just 40%, with large-scale refurbishment being only part of the answer.
A new analysis suggests that drastic emission cuts could stabilize climate change, saving Arctic ice and reducing sea level rise. Global temperatures would still rise, but the most dangerous impacts could be partially avoided with a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study reveals that biofuels could hasten climate change due to the destruction of tropical rainforests. The study found that it will take over 75 years for carbon emissions saved through biofuel use to compensate for the carbon lost when these forests are converted into plantations.
Scientists warn that natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans are struggling to keep pace with increasing greenhouse gas emissions. This shift could lead to drastic consequences for climate change predictions.
Aarhus University's conference emphasized the need for integrated policies to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. The '7 Aarhus Statements' call for increased agricultural productivity, sustainable energy solutions, and citizen empowerment in addressing climate change.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide could lead to coral reef dissolution as acidification and rising temperatures threaten global coral health. Research models predict that if CO2 levels double, most coral reefs will experience significant calcification rate reductions.
A 30-year study reveals that drought causes massive carbon loss in tropical forests, mainly through killing trees, posing significant threat to climate change mitigation. The Amazon forest absorbs nearly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually but lost more than 3 billion tonnes during the 2005 drought.
Mudslides caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake may release significant amounts of greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, into the atmosphere. The study found that the ecosystem impacts of these mudslides could be equivalent to twice the loss of nitrogen from California ecosystems due to wildfires.
A Duke University-led study found that converting land to conservation reserves is a cheaper and more efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than using it for corn-based ethanol production. The researchers suggest that cellulosic ethanol production, which uses switchgrass or other species, may be a better option in the future.
A new study by the American Geophysical Union estimates that commercial ships emit 0.9 teragrams of particulate pollution annually, contributing almost 30% of smog-forming nitrogen oxide gases. The study highlights the significant health risks to coastal communities due to ship pollutants.
A new study estimates that commercial ships emit about 1,100 tons of particle pollution annually, posing significant health concerns for coastal communities and affecting global climate. Ship emissions also contribute to smog-forming nitrogen oxide gases.
A new carbon dioxide map of the US has been released on Google Earth, showing hourly and geographic emissions data for various fossil fuel sources. The map is an unprecedented inventory of CO2 emissions from different types of fossil fuel, offering insights into climate change.
Researchers used bimonthly CO2 measurements from 16 aircraft sites to create a monthly 3D picture of CO2 over North America. They found moderate CO2 sink areas, especially in the Midwest and Southeast, which agree with estimates of crop uptake and forest regrowth.