Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
Climate models predict the West Antarctic ice sheet and Arctic sea ice will collapse due to continued global warming. The researchers estimate that additional global warming of 1ºC above 2000 levels is likely to be 'dangerous'.
Trials at NSW DPI's Wollongbar Agricultural Institute found agrichar, a black carbon byproduct of pyrolysis, triples wheat yields and doubles soybean production when applied at 10 tonnes per hectare. The technology also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to traditional farming methods.
The EU ETS has achieved its goal of limiting CO2 emissions and placed a price on carbon, with the value of traded volume estimated at €14.7 billion. A global framework for managing climate policy is required to address global greenhouse gas emissions.
Global carbon dioxide emissions have accelerated at a three percent increase per year in the 2000s, with nearly eight billion tonnes emitted globally in 2005 compared to six billion tonnes in 1995. The growth rate is attributed to increased fossil fuel usage and less efficient burning of these fuels.
The study found that CO2 emissions increased at a rate three times faster than in the 1990s, primarily driven by growing energy intensity and population. This trend is concerning, as it suggests a reversal of long-term progress towards greater energy efficiency and reduced carbon intensities.
A four-year study reveals that climate change has weakened one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, the Southern Ocean, leading to a release of stored CO2 and preventing further absorption. This 'feedback' will continue and intensify during this century, making stabilisation of atmospheric CO2 more difficult.
New research by CSIRO Australia confirms deforestation is a critical climate change role, releasing 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon annually. Preserving tropical forests as carbon sinks can help stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
A two-year RED initiative aims to reduce deforestation in tropical developing nations, saving half a billion metric tons of carbon every year. Computer models predict that preserved forests will continue to act as a carbon sink if emissions are kept under control.
A recent study in Nature suggested plants emit methane, but a new study in New Phytologist found methane emissions from plants are negligible and do not contribute to global climate change. The researchers used a novel experiment with heavy carbon isotopes to detect any methane emission, which was undetectable.
A new study found that biodiesel from rapeseed could emit nearly the same amount of CO2 equivalents as conventional diesel. However, switching to tree farming for rapeseed production could significantly reduce emissions compared to petroleum diesel.
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research found that CO2 capture and storage can avoid up to 80-110 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The technology has significant potential in various sectors, including energy, industry, and transport.
The new CarbonTracker tool will distinguish between natural and human-produced carbon cycle changes, providing verification for climate models. It will also enable policymakers to compare emissions from urban centers and businesses.
Ocean acidity is rising due to increasing carbon dioxide levels, posing a threat to marine life such as corals and shellfish. The study suggests that future changes in ocean acidification are largely independent of climate change.
A University of Texas at Austin researcher has developed a more economical technology to capture carbon dioxide from coal-fueled power plants, which could lead to a 90% reduction in emissions. The project is being supported by a $1.8M donation from TXU Power.
A new technology using nano-porous fibres has been awarded the Royal Society's Brian Mercer Award for Innovation, with early trials showing significant energy savings and potential to reduce environmental impact. The technology could be used in various industries, including beverage production and petrol filling stations.
Researchers will develop software to predict unintended consequences of greenhouse gas reduction policies on the automotive market, life cycle environmental impact, and material demand. The goal is to ensure that policies effectively reduce emissions while minimizing undesirable outcomes.
A Carnegie Mellon paper outlines incentives for controlling carbon emissions, warning of the consequences of delaying effective electric sector policy. Implementing an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide from power plants is likely to be cost-effective and reduce environmental impact.
A new study by Dr. Kevin Robert Gurney found that boreal North America removes carbon from the atmosphere during warm Spring years, while Boreal Asia emits more carbon with above normal Fall temperatures. These findings have implications for climate change projections and suggest a regional difference in how ecosystems respond to warming.
Researchers develop mechanism for capturing carbon dioxide from power plants and injecting it into the ground, where it will be trapped naturally. The injected gas forms a plume that rises through permeable rock, eventually breaking into small bubbles or blobs that remain safely stored.
A recent study found that individuals' annual travel is equivalent to 5.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide on average, with the top 20% of 'emitters' responsible for 61% of all travel emissions. High-income earners, particularly employed men, are among the largest contributors to climate change impact through their travel patterns.
Future US federal climate change policy is likely to include a national carbon dioxide cap, mandatory renewable energy portfolio standards, and increased vehicle fleet gasoline efficiency standards. These policies are already being implemented in the public and private sectors, with identifiable constituencies of well-networked actors.
A recent study by NASA tracked aerosol sources and their impact on climate, finding that black carbon from Southeast Asian residential sources contributes significantly to Arctic warming. The researchers also discovered that biomass-burning aerosols produce cooling effects in the atmosphere, which partially offset greenhouse gas emissi...
Researchers at MIT found that the nanostructure of cement is responsible for its strength and durability, rather than the material itself. By understanding this organization, they aim to develop a new type of concrete with reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers at UC Irvine have developed a novel method to measure carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuels by analyzing corn samples collected from nearly 70 locations nationwide. The study found that California and the Ohio Valley had the most fossil-fuel-emitted carbon dioxide, while the Colorado region had the least.
Scientists have found that an ancient global warming event, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, was caused by a massive release of carbon, which heated the planet by 9°F in less than 10,000 years. The research suggests that the climate is even more sensitive to added CO2 than previously thought.
New research shows carbon dioxide emissions have accelerated by over 2.5% per year since the 2000s, despite global efforts to reduce emissions. The findings indicate that recent emission-reducing measures have had little impact on slowing down growth rates.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that Manchester commuters inhale their biggest daily dose of harmful traffic fumes during the morning rush hour. The air pollution traps particles near ground level, which can be toxic to human health.
Morgan argues that legislators should impose regulations to prevent the construction of long-lived conventional coal plants. The US electricity industry plans to build 154 new plants in the next 24 years, with 50 slated for construction within five years.
A new study suggests injecting sulfates into the stratosphere could slow down global warming and provide more time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The approach has been shown to stabilize climate for up to 20 years, but geoengineering is not a panacea and mitigation alone can also address ocean acidification issues.
A new software tool will help analyze the unintended consequences of environmental regulations on the automotive market and industry life cycle. The project aims to integrate models of market decisions, technological performance, and life cycle assessment to predict the effectiveness of greenhouse gas reduction policies.
A new report warns that carbon dioxide emissions are dramatically altering ocean chemistry, threatening marine organisms such as corals and pteropods. The report highlights the potential impacts on marine food webs, biodiversity, and ecosystems, emphasizing the need for further research to understand these changes.
A University of Colorado study found that adding phosphorus and nitrogen to tropical forest soils in Costa Rica increases CO2 emissions by 20%. The study highlights the impact of human activities on nutrient availability in ecosystems, with potential implications for climate change.
Experts estimate that cost-effective retrofits could reduce energy use in China, India, and Brazil by at least 25%, while advanced technologies could reduce projected CO2 emission growth by 16%. Unlocking today's potential savings requires simple, highly cost-effective renovation projects to identify and eliminate energy waste.
A new study using ancient climate data reveals a two-way feedback loop where greenhouse gases increase with temperature, accelerating global warming. The research suggests that ignoring this effect could lead to revised estimates of future warming by up to 50%.
A study by the University of Chicago found that vegan diets are more energy-efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gases compared to meat-based diets. Reducing food choices like eggs or hamburgers can make a significant impact on reducing emissions, with even small changes resulting in substantial benefits.
A new initiative aims to slow deforestation in tropical forests by allowing wealthy industrial nations to pay developing countries to conserve their forests. This mechanism would earn 'carbon credits' that count toward emissions targets, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A research team led by Virginia Tech's Marr will use a van-mounted instrument system to measure air pollutant emissions in various locations. The project aims to improve understanding of air pollution and inform policy decisions.
The world's growing energy needs could be met without destabilizing the climate through affordable, effective solutions like carbon capture and sequestration. The authors propose large-scale technologies such as solar energy, clean coal technology, and nuclear power to reduce emissions.
Ocean acidification could lead to extinction of many marine species due to increased acidity and dissolution of calcium carbonate shells. The last time oceans endured such a drastic change in chemistry was 65 million years ago, at the same time dinosaurs went extinct.
Scientists warn of a similar climate shift as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, which occurred 55 million years ago. The rate of carbon dioxide emission is now faster than natural processes can absorb, potentially triggering abrupt changes.
A recent decrease in Rocky Mountain snowpack has slowed the release of heat-trapping carbon dioxide gases from forest soils into the atmosphere during the dead of winter. The lack of snow has decreased the winter insulation of the soils, cooling them and slowing the metabolism of microbes that release large amounts of CO2.
Researchers found that Antarctic krill can perform multiple daily vertical migrations, with some descending rapidly like parachutes. This behavior is estimated to sequester 0.02 metric gigatons of carbon per year, equivalent to annual emissions from 35 million cars.
A new study reveals that plant metabolic rates are driven by nitrogen content, which has significant implications for understanding the global carbon cycle. By estimating nitrogen content, scientists can model plant metabolism and better assess the global plant metabolic rate.
A study suggests that plant methane emissions do not contribute to global warming, but rather are a natural part of the greenhouse effect. However, reforestation programs may be slightly impacted by these emissions, with potential benefits outweighing negative effects.
A study examining nearly 4 million cars found that newer models tend to be cleaner, while older vehicles emit more pollutants. The study also found that some car makes, such as Hyundai and Mitsubishi, are more prone to failing emissions tests due to their age and maintenance.
Researchers studied hurricane-force wind estimation using synthetic aperture radar and found a newly-developed model outperforms previous methods. Additionally, weakened thermohaline circulation led to increased snow cover over Europe due to reduced atmospheric circulation and changed climate influences. The Arctic Ocean's change also ...
Researchers have invented a new class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can store vast amounts of carbon dioxide. One MOF, dubbed MOF-177, sops up 140% of its weight in CO2 at room temperature and reasonable pressure.
A new study by NCAR researchers finds that US-China trade imbalances significantly boost global carbon emissions, increasing US indirect responsibility. The study estimates an additional 720 million metric tons of CO2 emissions from 1997 to 2003 due to this imbalance.
More than one-third of the US population lives in 'probable' and 'possible' adopter regions that have pledged to reduce emissions. These areas contribute up to half of the US gross domestic product, equivalent to 16.9% of global GDP. However, compliance will be a challenge due to lack of enforcement mechanisms.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers finds that market-based incentives, such as pollution taxes and emissions permits, can reduce pollution abatement costs for businesses. However, these approaches may not be effective in areas with localized pollution where the source of pollution matters.
Researchers will inject thousands of tons of pressurized carbon dioxide into Western basalt formations to monitor its storage. The experiment aims to create infrastructure for carbon sequestration, potentially storing over 100 billion tons of CO2.
A new theoretical model helps explore the fate of CO2 injected into oceans under various temperature and pressure conditions. Liquid CO2 would need to be injected to a depth of at least 800 meters to keep it from escaping, according to Zhang's model.
The North Sea efficiently absorbs 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually through both physical and photosynthetic processes. This represents 20% of the world's total CO2 uptake, highlighting coastal seas as more efficient absorbers than open oceans.
Researchers at Lehigh University developed a method to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by modifying boiler operating conditions. The technique achieved a 50-75% reduction of total mercury in flue gas with minimal impact on plant performance and fuel cost.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered a low-temperature sulfur oxides absorbent, silver hollandite, that maintains its catalytic activity even when aging. This inexpensive catalyst has the potential to reduce diesel emissions.
The Global Climate and Energy Project has awarded over $11 million in research grants to five institutions, including Stanford University. The grants will support studies on solar cells, fuel formulations, and carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Research found a strong link between childhood cancer and air pollution, particularly from vehicle exhausts and diesel engines. Children exposed to high levels of pollutants in the womb or shortly after birth were at increased risk of developing cancer, with proximity to emission sources also playing a critical role.
A new study suggests that continued high levels of fossil fuel emissions will outstrip the land and oceans' ability to absorb carbon, leading to accelerated climate warming. The 'breathing biosphere' can only absorb carbon at a certain rate, and increased temperatures and droughts lower plant uptake of CO2.
The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research is leading a $14.3 million project to store carbon dioxide in unmineable coal beds, promising to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants and prolong the life of these reservoirs. Field tests will be conducted in three target geologic formations within the southeast region.
A recent NCAR study found that Alaskan and Canadian wildfires emitted 30 teragrams of carbon monoxide, causing a 25% increase in ozone levels in parts of the northern continental US and a 10% increase in Europe.