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West Antarctic ice sheet may disappear by 2300

A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEarth's Future·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 12, 2024

Personal carbon footprint of the rich is vastly underestimated by rich and poor alike, study finds

A recent study found that both the rich and poor significantly overestimate or underestimate each other's carbon footprints, highlighting a profound inequality. The researchers surveyed 4,000 people from four countries and discovered that those in the top 10% tended to support climate policies, possibly due to higher education levels.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 12, 2024

Growing key biomethane crop on peat emits 3 times more CO2 than using natural gas

A recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that growing maize to produce biomethane on drained peat emits up to three times more carbon dioxide than using natural gas. The production of crops like maize for bioenergy has rapidly increased, leading to a significant expansion of cultivated areas on drained peatlands.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2024

Notre Dame researchers create new tool to analyze embodied carbon in more than 1 million buildings in Chicago

Notre Dame researchers have created a new tool to analyze embodied carbon in over 1 million buildings in Chicago, providing policymakers with actionable data to inform urban development decisions. The study found that extending the lifespan of buildings and reducing their size can decrease carbon emissions by two-thirds.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCarbon Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 4, 2024

What works: Groundbreaking evaluation of climate policy measures over two decades

Researchers evaluated 1,500 climate policies over two decades and identified successful cases, such as China's pilot emissions trading systems and the UK's minimum carbon price, which delivered major emission reductions. The study highlights the importance of well-designed policy mixes in achieving climate neutrality.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2024

UCF researcher develops lotus-inspired tech to convert CO2 to fuels, chemicals

A University of Central Florida researcher has developed a nature-inspired filtration and conversion system that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere to create fuels and chemicals. The device mimics the lotus surface, capturing carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin oxide film and fluorine layer.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 20, 2024

Pusan National University researchers highlight the carbon-saving potential of compact cities

Researchers at Pusan National University found compact cities reduce consumption-based carbon emissions through efficient public transportation, mixed land use, and pedestrian-friendly communities. This study supports the argument that compact city development is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality.

SourcePusan National University·JournalEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2024

Study on planet-warming contrails “a spanner in the works” for aviation industry

A new study reveals that modern commercial aircraft create longer-lived planet-warming contrails than older aircraft, potentially offsetting their lower carbon emissions. The research highlights the challenges of reducing aviation's climate impact, with private jets also found to produce more contrails than previously thought.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 7, 2024

Air quality regimes around the world are playing catch up as science evolves and policy ambitions are too blunt, researchers say

Researchers call for coordinated action to address air pollution's complexity, including elevating policy ambition, expanding regulatory scope, and integrating scientific policymaking. The paper highlights urgent need for clean air globally as health harms arise from lower concentrations.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScience·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 5, 2024

How the rising earth in Antarctica will impact future sea level rise

A new study suggests that the rising earth in Antarctica will impact future sea level rise, depending on how much global warming is controlled. If humans lower greenhouse gas emissions, upward shifts in solid earth could reduce Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise by about 40%, bolstering best-case scenarios for global sea level...

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 2, 2024

Carbon assurance likely to become mandatory

Research from Edith Cowan University finds that carbon assurance will likely become mandatory due to growing stakeholder demand and IFRS climate change disclosures. Companies with existing systems in place for tracking carbon emissions are expected to reap benefits, including increased shareholder investment.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalThe British Accounting Review·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

HKUST researchers find strategic emission caps key to ammonia industry decarbonization

A team of researchers from HKUST has identified the importance of strategic emission cap choices for ammonia industry decarbonization. By setting region-specific targets and prioritizing plant flexibility, policymakers can balance environmental goals with costs and resource availability.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 23, 2024

Pinpointing coal plants to convert to nuclear energy, considering both practicality and community support

A comprehensive analysis of US coal power plants reveals feasibility for conversion to advanced nuclear reactors, providing valuable insights for policymakers and utilities. The study uses a GIS-based tool to evaluate socio-technical and economic factors, suggesting a broad spectrum of suitability levels across different locations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnergy Reports·DateJul 9, 2024

Zero-emissions trucks alone won't cut it: Early retirement of polluters key to California's emission goals

A new study by Stanford University and Arizona State University recommends California implement early vehicle retirement for heavy-duty vehicles. The policy aims to reduce cumulative emissions by two-thirds and pollution-related mortality, particularly among disadvantaged communities. This approach would be more effective than relying ...

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability·DateJul 8, 2024

Compact cities have lower carbon emissions, but poorer air quality, less green space and higher mortality rates

A study by ISGlobal analyzed 919 European cities, identifying four urban configurations: compact-high density, open lowrise-medium density, open lowrise-low density, and green-low density. Compact high-density cities have lower carbon footprints but higher mortality rates due to poorer air quality and less green space.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 3, 2024

True scale of carbon impact from long-distance travel revealed

Long-distance travel has a substantial carbon footprint, with journeys over 50 miles accounting for 70% of emissions. Research suggests targeting long-distance travel may be more effective than current efforts to reduce emissions. Changing behavior and policy can maximize reductions in carbon emissions from passenger travel.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 2, 2024

Diversifying China’s urban heating systems will reduce risk of carbon lock-in

A Princeton-led study suggests that diversifying China's urban heating systems will reduce the risk of carbon lock-in. The researchers examined three hypothetical investment scenarios and found that under a low-coal scenario, electric technologies can meet up to 34% of total district heating demand in 2030.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

New research shows that solar-powered “resilience hubs” in California could generate up to 8GW of power -- providing emergency assistance to vulnerable residents during power outages

A new study suggests that strategically placing solar-powered resilience hubs in California could generate up to 8 GW of solar energy and reduce the state's carbon emissions by 5 million tons per year. These hubs provide critical services such as phone charging, cooling, and powering medical devices for at-risk populations.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateJun 27, 2024

Uncovering the drivers of a million-year-old glacial transition

Researchers from the Mann Research Group found strong path dependence in Plio-Pleistocene glaciations, driven by a gradual decrease in regolith and volcanic outgassing. The study suggests that carbon dioxide levels determine the onset of the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, and that it's not too late to act to prevent ice sheet collapse.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 25, 2024

All-in-one method measures CO2 in concrete

A new device developed by University of Tokyo researchers can measure carbon dioxide captured in concrete quickly and accurately, skipping the need to crush concrete samples. This innovation aims to support global efforts to reach carbon neutrality and offset emissions from the concrete sector.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Advanced Concrete Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Harnessing ecological theory for successful ecosystem restoration

Scientists have developed a research framework to incorporate ecological theory into ecosystem management, enabling more effective restoration and counteracting rising carbon dioxide emissions. The approach maps ecological theories to desired restoration outcomes, prioritizing climate-smart restoration and rebuilding ecosystems faster.

SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 18, 2024

Study reveals significant increasing nitrous-oxide emissions from human activities, jeopardizing climate goals

Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEarth System Science Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2024