Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
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.
SC Johnson's donation will help conserve 7.5 acres of forest and reduce deforestation in Madagascar. The partnership aims to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity through sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services.
Researchers used advanced supercomputing technology and chemical analysis to reconstruct past sea temperatures, finding that increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere initiated warming. This breakthrough sheds light on how climate may respond to greenhouse gas emissions in the future.
A recent MIT survey found that the US public is poorly informed about climate change and carbon capture and storage (CCS), a key mitigation technology. The survey revealed that only 17% of respondents had heard or read about CCS in the past year, while many were unaware of other energy-related solutions like hydrogen cars and wind energy.
Scientists at Ohio State University have found that a long-ago ice age occurred 10 million years earlier than previously thought. The discovery resolves an inconsistency in climate change research and suggests that CO2 concentrations drive climate. Sea levels may have been low globally at the time, likely due to a global ice buildup.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a portable monitoring system to evaluate emission sources from traditional wood-burning cookstoves. The study aims to improve human health and climate modeling by characterizing emissions under various burning conditions.
Research reveals that changes in aerosol levels affect the type of landscape, with forests and croplands becoming carbon sinks due to increased shade, while grasslands become sources. The study suggests that aerosols alter the ground surface temperature, affecting photosynthesis rates.
Reductions in carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide trace gases can stabilize the climate with warming less than 1°C at 520 ppm CO2 levels. The Montreal Protocol is effective in reducing ozone-depleting gases, but needs extension to address other trace gases.
A study by Duke University researchers suggests that increasing fuel efficiency in cars and light trucks can achieve a 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, converting all croplands to no-till agriculture or retiring croplands would yield only a 4% reduction, making it a less feasible solution.
Researchers examine land-use practices that increase soil carbon dioxide uptake, such as intensifying cropping and afforestation. Comprehensive economic comparisons are necessary to determine the competitiveness and cost-effectiveness of these methods.
A four-year study by the Petroleum Technology Research Centre has concluded that large-scale CO2 storage is safe and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that most of the injected CO2 will remain in the reservoir, with minimal risk to overlying water zones or the atmosphere.
Researchers at Penn State have created a new method to speed up the process of capturing carbon dioxide from combustion gases using serpentine minerals. This innovative approach significantly reduces the time required for sequestration from geologic timescales, making it a promising solution for mitigating climate change.
Princeton University scientists analyzed existing technologies and found that they can prevent significant carbon emissions for five decades. The study identified 15 options, including wind, solar, and nuclear energy, which could work together to stabilize global warming.
Astronomers at ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) recorded the spectrum of a bright meteor in 2002, providing insights into meteor emissions and atmospheric chemistry. The spectrum revealed telltale emissions of oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules, as well as constraints on the role of atmospheric chemistry when life started on Earth.
A project has successfully demonstrated that underground carbon dioxide storage can economically reduce emissions, allowing the oil industry to pump carbon dioxide into its wells and produce extra oil. Over 1.9 billion cubic meters of CO2 have been injected into a Saskatchewan oil reservoir since 2000.
Researchers found that wood chip bedding had less nitrogen loss during composting, reducing volatile losses and improving air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions were similar to those of traditional straw bedding, making it a viable option for beef cattle.
Restoring carbon in degraded agricultural soils can significantly improve crop yields and global food security, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, soil has a finite capacity for holding carbon, and widespread adoption of recommended management practices may reach its limits within 50 years.
Researchers pinpoint CO2 sources, geological and terrestrial sinks, and transport requirements in Virginia. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate global warming by developing technologies for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Researchers combine airborne data with ground-based measurements to better understand carbon exchanges in rolling hills and mountain ranges. The project aims to enhance carbon uptake and improve monitoring methods for high-emitting nations and industries.
Researchers found that loblolly pine forests grown in high CO2 conditions exhibit varying growth rates depending on soil moisture. Nitrogen deficiencies limit tree growth in dry years, while excess nitrogen makes a difference in wet years.
Scientists say that replacing gasoline-fueled vehicles with cleaner diesel technology could lead to a significant increase in surface ozone levels, particularly in the Southeast. The study found that pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons also increased, highlighting the need for more effective pollution control measures.
Scientists disagree with Nir Shaviv and Jan Veizer's claim that cosmic rays influence global warming. The current warming is mainly caused by human emissions of carbon dioxide, according to 11 experts in the field.
Global per capita greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced to a small fraction of present levels within the next hundred years. A gradual transition to an emission-free economy is possible at an acceptable price, with significant reductions in emissions necessary beyond the Kyoto horizon.
A study by Thomas Karl and Kevin Trenberth concludes that human activities are significantly impacting the global climate, with a 90% probability of temperature rises between 1.7 to 4.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. Rising carbon dioxide levels and industrial emissions are driving these changes.
A team of top scientists, including Thomas Karl and Kevin Trenberth, conclude that human activities are significantly impacting the global climate, with industrial emissions being the dominant factor. The study estimates a 1.7°C to 4.9°C temperature rise by 2100, with widespread impacts on society and the environment.
Researchers propose an international treaty to control air pollutants like ozone and aerosols, which can cause respiratory diseases. The treaty aims to unite countries in addressing short-term health risks while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The MIT team has developed a promising catalytic converter that controls emissions and can withstand excess oxygen. By understanding the atomic-level reaction process of sulfur trioxide formation, they aim to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.
A Pennsylvania inventory reveals that fossil fuels are the largest source of carbon dioxide, while motor vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The study also highlights the need for policy makers and others in the state to take action to reduce emissions.
Researchers have successfully created carbon nanotubes with ideal photon emission, a narrow and steady emission that can be used for quantum cryptography and single-molecule sensors. This breakthrough enables the development of practical applications in fields such as quantum optics and biology.
The US is responsible for 23% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. The editorial emphasizes the need for changes in law and tax incentives to persuade citizens to use fewer fossil fuels and adopt recycling initiatives.
Researchers suggest celestial processes dominate climate change, with cosmic rays influencing low-level cloud formation and blocking sun warming. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are secondary to natural forces.
A new study suggests that human activities are a leading cause of warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere. The research team found that ozone depletion combined with greenhouse gas emissions accounted for most of the recent rise in the tropopause height.
A new climate model, ALL, integrated multiple factors into a single experiment, recreating observed temperature records for the 20th century. The model predicts increased global warming of 5.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century when sulphate emissions reductions are considered.
Researchers found that even if climate sensitivity is low, massive transition to carbon-free energy technologies is needed during this century. The study suggests developing alternative energy sources now to achieve stabilization at a 2 degree Celsius warming.
Researchers challenge a recent study's estimate of greenhouse gas emissions from tropical deforestation, citing seven serious errors that lead to a major underestimate. The Achard study failed to account for drier forests, biomass, and the effects of methane and nitrous oxide.
A CU-Boulder study suggests that elevated CO2 concentrations in agriforests can reduce isoprene emissions, a key contributor to ground-based ozone pollution. This finding could have significant implications for mitigating regional ozone pollution and enhancing climate mitigation strategies.
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a three-year experiment, raising questions about the impact of elevated CO2 on plant growth. The study found that CO2 suppression was most pronounced when combined with other climate change factors like temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition.
The study highlights the importance of developing revolutionary technologies for energy production, distribution, storage, and conversion to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Researchers emphasize the need for a multifaceted approach to address the issue, as single solutions are unlikely to be effective.
A study suggests that diesel cars could warm the climate more over time than gasoline-powered vehicles, even with lower CO2 emissions. This is because soot from diesel engines has a shorter lifetime in the air and warms it more intensely.
The GISS 'SI2000' climate model demonstrates that global temperature change is mainly a response to human-made forcings, such as carbon dioxide and methane. The study projects possible futures under two contrasting scenarios, with minimal warming if air pollution decreases and CO2 emissions are stabilized.
Researchers used the GISS SI2000 climate model to simulate past and future global temperature changes, finding that human-made forcings are mainly responsible for recent warming. The study suggests that reducing air pollution and stabilizing carbon dioxide emissions could limit warming to 0.75°C over the next 50 years.
A new analysis suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 could prevent or mitigate some severe climate change effects. However, saving coral reefs is unlikely, while ocean currents and ice-sheet melting are more plausible but uncertain outcomes.
UC Davis' entry, Yosemite, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that doubles fuel economy and reduces tailpipe emissions below California's strictest SULEV standards. The FutureTruck project, a joint government-industry initiative, aims to raise the environmental performance of popular SUVs while keeping their amenities.
A study led by Duke University ecologist Robert Jackson found that soil nitrogen availability constrains the capacity of ecosystems to absorb increased atmospheric CO2. The research suggests that natural systems will no longer be able to take up excess carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for stringent emissions controls.
Climate models predict significant temperature increases and sea level rise over the next century. The effects of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will last for at least 100 years, regardless of current reductions.
A new NASA-funded study shows that global warming in recent decades has been caused by carbon dioxide, with other greenhouse gases including methane, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon. The growth of emissions has slowed over the past 20 years, primarily due to the phase-out of ozone-depleting gases.
A new study by top carbon scientists reveals that terrestrial carbon sinks will not operate steadily into the future due to the temporary nature of key processes. The sinks, which currently absorb excess carbon dioxide, are expected to diminish with time as forests mature and other factors saturate.
A study by researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute exposes the potential biological impacts of deep-sea carbon sequestration on marine ecosystems. Decreased pH can lead to metabolic suppression, inhibiting growth and reproduction in sensitive organisms.
The report recommends four main areas of focus for the Carbon Trust: RD&D programme, skills development, international cooperation, and social and economic research. It also identifies promising low-carbon technologies, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hydrogen production.