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Countries bet on forests and soils to reach net-zero

A new study by the University of East Anglia highlights the risks of relying on nature-based solutions, such as forests and soils, to achieve net-zero emissions. The research warns that these solutions may not be enough to offset the remaining difficult-to-decarbonize emissions if progress on reducing fossil fuel use stalls.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateDec 7, 2022

Catalyzing clean energy

Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.

The world will probably warm beyond the 1.5-degree limit. But peak warming can be curbed

New research suggests that the world will probably warm beyond the 1.5-degree limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, but peak warming can be minimized by adopting more ambitious climate pledges and decarbonizing faster. The study models scenarios to explore what degree of warming would likely follow different courses of action, highlig...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 10, 2022

Lianas more likely to infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests, transforming knowledge in understudied area

Research finds that lianas more frequently infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests, hindering their growth. This study transforms understanding of tropical forests and their role in the global carbon cycle. Lianas' impact on climate change is significant due to their ability to reduce carbon uptake and storage.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 7, 2022

Carbon-neutralizing propylene production catalyzes change in petrochemical engineering

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new catalyst that uses carbon dioxide to produce propylene more efficiently than existing methods. The catalyst also captures and converts carbon dioxide into useful resources. This breakthrough contributes to the carbon neutralization of the petrochemical industry.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

A breakthrough discovery in carbon capture conversion for ethylene production

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago developed a method to convert 100% of captured carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing hydrocarbons with high purity. The process uses electrolysis and can recycle almost all carbon dioxide captured, making it carbon negative when powered by renewable energy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Over-reliance on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could increase climate and food security risks

A recent study by IIASA and Fudan University warns that relying too much on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could exacerbate global warming and reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages. The simulation results show that delayed mitigation and BECCS deployment could increase global warming from 1.7°C to 3.7°C by 2200.

Global analysis identifies at-risk forests

Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2022

Amazon's growth limited by lack of phosphorus

New research shows that the Amazon rainforest's growth rate is limited by a lack of phosphorus in the soil, which could reduce its ability to store carbon and increase vulnerability to climate change. Phosphorus availability played a critical role in increasing productivity in a recent experiment.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Worrying finding in California's multi-billion-dollar climate initiative reveals problem with using forests to offset CO2 emissions

Researchers found that California's forest carbon buffer pool has depleted at least 95% of its contributions within the first 10 years due to wildfires and disease. The program's self-insurance mechanism is unable to guarantee that credited forest carbon remains out of the atmosphere for at least 100 years.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·DateAug 5, 2022

Support for carbon capture and sequestration is key to a greener, more reliable grid

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University find that existing coal-fired plants can produce electricity at a cost comparable to renewables with energy storage. The study suggests modifications to current tax incentives to increase deployment of carbon-constrained fossil-fuel and negative emissions technologies.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 5, 2022

A simple, cheap material for carbon capture, perhaps from tailpipes

Researchers have created a cheap and energy-efficient way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks using porous melamine material. The process is simple to make and requires primarily off-the-shelf melamine powder, making it a promising solution for scaling down carbon emissions from vehicle exhaust or other movable sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Human-made iron inputs to the Southern Ocean ten times higher than previously estimated

A recent study led by Nagoya University found that human-made iron in the Southern Ocean may be up to ten times higher than previously thought, with a 60% contribution from fossil fuel combustion. This could lead to decreased photosynthesis and increased CO2 levels, exacerbating global warming.

SourceNagoya University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2022

A multi-institutional research team finds declining nitrogen availability in a nitrogen-rich world

A multi-institutional team finds that nitrogen insufficiency is a growing concern worldwide due to increased demand for nitrogen by plants and microbes. Declining nitrogen availability can slow plant growth and affect the food chain, while also constraining carbon storage and contributing to global warming.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

U.S. trees may provide over $100 billion dollars in savings via environmental benefits – but face growing threats

A recent study found that US trees generate a total of $114 billion annually in ecosystem services, with carbon storage and air quality regulation contributing 51% and 37% respectively. The most valuable tree species are pine and oak, but face growing threats from climate change and pests.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

Treated plastic waste good at grabbing carbon dioxide

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to turn treated plastic waste into an effective carbon dioxide sorbent, capable of removing CO2 from flue gas streams. The process involves heating plastic waste in the presence of potassium acetate, producing particles with nanometer-scale pores that trap CO2 molecules.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Business models for CO2 mineralization

A study suggests that CO2 mineralization can reduce cement production emissions by 8-33% without additional costs, bringing in potential profits of up to €32 per tonne of cement. Governments and the industry must find ways to incentivize this reduction, including mechanisms like subsidy programs and investment in low-carbon plants.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 15, 2022