Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A Northwestern University-led team of engineers has discovered a new way to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in concrete without compromising its strength and durability. The process achieved a CO2 sequestration efficiency of up to 45% and resulted in concrete with uncompromised properties.
Researchers found a link between ancient ocean oxygen depletion and the massive extinction of marine species during the Jurassic Period. The study provides insights into how human-made carbon emissions may lead to similar extinctions in the future.
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.
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.
A new IIASA-led study introduces a dynamic systems approach to understanding social tipping points, which include looking at interconnected feedback mechanisms and interactions across different systems and scales. Small actions can lead to significant changes that ripple through social and economic systems.
A new study by RIKEN CSRS shows that biomass from purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer, effective as inorganic synthetic fertilizers but with lower environmental side effects. The biomass boosts plant growth without altering soil pH or salinity.
A new study reveals that climate models overestimate the storage time of carbon in plants, meaning it is released back into the atmosphere sooner than predicted. This has implications for nature-based carbon removal projects and our understanding of the role of nature in mitigating climate change.
Researchers have designed a new way to recycle steel using an electrochemical pathway that removes contaminants like copper, reducing carbon emissions. The process generates liquid iron and sulfur as by-products and has potential for higher-grade product creation.
A UC Riverside study found that large fires in California create a self-sustaining cycle of heat and dryness, making it easier for new fires to start. The extra heat reduces humidity, allowing conditions to become favorable for more fire.
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.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen to concrete could significantly reduce global levels of potentially harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) created by the construction industry. This process could contribute to a reduction in NOx emissions by 3.4-6.9 megatonnes, representing 6-13% of industry-related emissions in 2021.
A study found that people in affluent areas in New Zealand were contributing more than their fair share of greenhouse gas emissions from transport. They drove further and owned more cars, leading to higher emissions per week.
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.
Concordia researchers develop micro photosynthetic power cells that harness algae's photosynthesis to generate electricity. The system can power low- and ultra-low power devices like IoT sensors, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing only water as a byproduct.
A new Drexel University study found that domestic income inequality unevenly impacts different emission components in wealthy nations. The research suggests that reducing income concentration at the top end of the distribution could synergistically reduce emissions, but might increase direct end-user emissions. Policies aiming to impro...
Scientists from the University of East Anglia and other institutions review the climatic effectiveness of four 'nature-based' techniques using marine biological processes. They conclude that these activities cannot provide a significant contribution to carbon dioxide removal, posing risks to meaningful climate mitigation.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge developed a low-cost and energy-efficient method to make materials that can capture carbon dioxide directly from the air. The charged charcoal sponge uses reversible bonds with hydroxides to capture CO2, requiring lower temperatures and renewable electricity for regeneration.
Researchers have developed a two-step process to convert carbon dioxide into acetate and ethylene, which can be used in food production and plastics. The tandem CO2 electrolysis produces high concentration and purity, addressing engineering challenges and making the system resilient against industrial impurities.
Researchers from Doshisha University have developed a cost-effective method to produce valuable hydrocarbons from CO2. The study uses an ionic liquid containing metal hydroxides as the electrolyte, achieving high current efficiencies for ethylene and propane production.
A new study found that human impacts on waterways are accelerating decomposition rates, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and disrupting food chains. The study suggests that reducing human activity could improve water quality and help fight climate change.
The EU ETS's credibility plays a crucial role in its effectiveness. Reforms strengthened the system's long-term credibility, allowing firms to align their market behavior with climate targets. This led to increased carbon prices, signaling high policy credibility and farsighted actors.
Researchers at Linköping University assess Stockholm's climate strategy, finding a reliance on carbon capture technology without sufficient discussion of its risks. They recommend setting separate targets for emissions reduction and capturing CO2 to ensure clearer decision-making.
A new UC Riverside study found that boreal forests in the northern hemisphere are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of cleaning up aerosol pollution. Reducing levels of human-made aerosols causes an increase in wildfires, especially in northern hemisphere forests.
Researchers found that extending treatments to every six weeks instead of every three weeks would require 15,000 fewer infusions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200 tons per year. This change could improve patient quality of life and result in cost savings for the healthcare system.
Scientists have found that microorganisms in the Arctic permafrost can break down polyphenols, previously thought to be untouchable, producing more greenhouse gas emissions. This new discovery has implications for understanding the role of soil microbes in climate change.
Researchers developed a novel reactor design that efficiently converts CO2 emissions from small boilers into methane fuel. The design features a distributed feed and optimal gas mixture composition, resulting in improved temperature control and increased methane production.
Researchers at Princeton University have modeled a supply chain for second-generation biofuels, which are derived from agricultural waste or non-food crops and can produce more sustainable substitutes for fossil fuels. The study found that careful management of the supply chain could result in systems with lower costs and emissions imp...
Researchers developed a method to recycle cement using electric arc furnaces, significantly reducing emissions from concrete and steel production. The process can replace up to half of cement in concrete with recycled cement, producing zero-emission cement if powered by renewable energy.
Replacing diesel school buses with electric ones can yield up to $247,600 in climate and health benefits per individual bus, according to a new study. The benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower rates of adult mortality and childhood asthma.
A worldwide analysis of voluntary carbon offset programs identified trends in renewable energy, forestry, and other technologies. Forestry and land management projects initially increased due to REDD+ programs, but shifted towards nature-positive solutions after 2016.
A new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand found that wind farms can offset their carbon emissions within two years. The research used data from a Harapaki onshore wind farm in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, and found that the turbine can generate all the energy consumed across its life-cycle within six months.
A study evaluates 14 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures in Germany, finding ecosystem-based methods like reforestation and seagrass restoration to be low-hurdle options. However, measures like bioenergy with carbon capture storage face significant economic and institutional hurdles.
Researchers at Kyushu University analyzed the carbon footprint of building a wooden house in Japan, estimating 38 tons of CO2 emissions. The team identified electric power sector and steel manufacturing process as major contributors to total emissions.
A new multi-tiered framework models CCS liability after nuclear power plant liability, balancing individual developer risk with industry-shared responsibility. This approach encourages knowledge sharing and communitarian self-regulation, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting timely deployment of critical carbon storage technology.
Researchers found that conferences generate significant carbon dioxide emissions, with delegates burning half their annual CO2 budget in a week. Practical solutions like multihubbing and reducing travel distances are proposed to mitigate these emissions.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.
Wildfires in the Amazon's old-growth forests increased by 152% in 2023, primarily caused by drought, with most of them occurring in Roraima state. This surge in forest fires poses significant risks to the environment and public health.
Research by the University of East Anglia reveals that net zero plans show limited ambition in dealing with residual emissions, which are expected to come from hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and agriculture. The study analyzed national climate strategies for 71 countries, finding that only 26 quantify residual emissions, with m...
A new study reveals that current national targets for removing CO2 from the atmosphere will not be enough to achieve the 1.5 ºC warming limit set by the Paris Agreement. The research finds that carbon dioxide removal methods have a small but vital role to play in achieving net zero and limiting climate change impacts.
A massive open dataset, OpenDAC, has been created to accelerate direct air capture technology development while reducing costs. The database enables the training of an AI model that predicts material interactions with high accuracy, significantly faster than traditional chemistry simulations.
The US-based roadmap aims to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and industrial sectors by reusing existing carbon, not just capturing or sequestering it. Researchers from national laboratories are working to accelerate discovery of transformative technologies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
A new roadmap proposes a holistic approach to reducing net-zero carbon emissions by converting various parts of the economy to run on renewable electricity. The approach includes developing non-carbon fuels, finding non-fossil sources of carbon, and keeping carbon in play through circular economies.
A recent study found that air travel to professional conferences contributes substantially to academia's carbon emissions, with an estimated 42,500 tCO2e released in 2019. To mitigate this issue, researchers suggest prioritizing venue locations near most participants and exploring virtual meeting solutions.
Soil carbon dioxide emissions are more sensitive to climate warming in permafrost-collapsed areas, releasing about 5.5 times more CO2 than non-collapsed areas. The study found that thermokarst formation increases the temperature sensitivity of CO2 release.
Researchers estimate CO2-equivalent emissions for astronomy meetings in 2019, suggesting preferential virtual meetings and hybrid formats. This approach can reduce long-haul travel and make astronomy more inclusive for underrepresented groups.
A Princeton-led study suggests that co-producing steel and chemicals could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these industries. By redirecting steelmaking off-gas to chemical production, China can lower its hard-to-abate emissions and meet climate goals.
Research published in Global Change Biology indicates that a single hurricane can down 4.6–9.4% of New England's aboveground forest carbon. The study also shows that current carbon market policies are insufficiently buffered against the risks posed by hurricanes, which could lead to catastrophic emissions
A new study reveals that a single hurricane can wipe out 5-10% of New England's total aboveground forest carbon through tree damage. The research team analyzed the impact of 10 powerful hurricanes on the region's forests and found that future storms could pose a significant risk to carbon offset programs.
Radiologists are proposing actions to reduce their department's greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to the effects of climate change. They suggest implementing a coordinated approach, establishing sustainability teams, and optimizing scanner usage to reduce emissions by up to 33% for MRI and CT scans.
The study projects significant economic losses globally, particularly in the tropics, with countries least responsible for climate change facing 60% greater income loss. A transition to renewable energy is crucial to mitigate catastrophic consequences and stabilize the planet's temperature.
A new study found that 19 out of 34 countries failed to fully meet their 2020 climate commitments set in Copenhagen 15 years ago. The study highlights the challenges countries face in reducing emissions while maintaining economic growth, particularly for those unable to meet their targets.
A recent study by the University of California - Riverside found that carbon dioxide is driving an increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires by fueling the growth of plants that become kindling. This process occurs because plants use the extra CO2 to make carbohydrates, leading to an increase in biomass that burns.
A new study by the Complexity Science Hub demonstrates how climate policies can be implemented with minimal economic damage. The researchers used a data set from Hungary to examine what would happen if certain companies were forced to cease production in various scenarios aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
Researchers have discovered a greener way to produce ammonia, essential for fertilizers, by developing a new catalyst that works stably at relatively low temperatures. This breakthrough reduces the amount of energy needed to synthesize ammonia, making it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.
A new study found that remote work could reduce carbon emissions from car travel by nearly 200 million tons annually, but also lead to a 27% drop in public transit fare revenue. This shift may impact urban mobility and require transit agencies to adapt their services.
A new Illinois study reveals that countries with high production levels emit more air pollutants due to domestic and foreign demand. The researchers found a significant increase in carbon monoxide emissions from China to South Korea, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to address pollution.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a novel approach to improve carbon conversion efficiency using waste material from pulp and paper production. This technique reduces both the energy needed for carbon transformation and overall environmental waste.
A Bay Area monitoring network has recorded a small but steady decrease in CO2 emissions, primarily due to the adoption of electric vehicles, which translates to a yearly drop in vehicle emission rates. However, to meet California's ambitious carbon reduction goals, the yearly decrease needs to be much greater.
Tourism to Yellowstone National Park produces over a billion kilos of CO2 emissions each year, primarily from air travel. The study emphasizes the need for strategies to decrease these emissions and mitigate climate change.
A new study found that AI systems produce much less CO2e per page of text generated compared to human writers and illustrators. DALL-E2 emits approximately 2,500 times less CO2e than a human artist for illustration tasks. The authors suggest collaboration between AI and human efforts for the most beneficial outcome.