A new study reveals that fjords store 11-12% of the ocean's carbon, making them small but mighty planetary 'thermostats' that regulate temperature. Fjords are highly reactive, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere during glacial periods.
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.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a unique 3D COF with scu-c topology, exhibiting efficient gas adsorption and drug delivery capabilities. The material has been shown to exhibit excellent hydrogen and methane adsorption properties.
A new study finds that transitioning to a low-carbon energy system could lead to significant global emissions, consuming much of the remaining carbon budget. The average emissions associated with decarbonization amount to 195 gigatonnes of CO2, equivalent to 0.1°C of additional global warming.
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.
A new project at Aarhus University aims to develop Denmark's first reactor for carbon-negative hydrogen production from biogas using catalytic pyrolysis. The technology converts captured CO2 into solid form while producing hydrogen, reducing energy consumption by one-fifth compared to green hydrogen production.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a technology that captures CO2 from the atmosphere and transforms it into useful chemicals. The switchable Dual Function Materials (DFMs) can produce multiple chemicals depending on operating conditions, making it responsive to demand fluctuations.
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...
Researchers at West Virginia University are exploring a new approach to produce clean hydrogen fuel using low-tech organic materials. They aim to create efficient and economically viable gasification systems that can transform biomass into ultrapure hydrogen, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
A simple material called aluminum formate has been found to be effective in removing carbon dioxide from power plant smokestacks. The material, made from abundant and readily available chemicals, is up to 100 times less expensive than other materials with similar performance.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict heat capacity of MOFs, enabling more efficient applications in energy and climate change. The model's accuracy was improved by removing solvent from pores during synthesis.
A new system developed at the University of Waterloo can affordably convert CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals. The technology yields 10 times more carbon monoxide than existing methods, making it economically viable for industrial-scale use.
Researchers have discovered that small eddies, swirling at the edges of massive ocean currents, are a key source of nutrients for phytoplankton. These nutrient-rich eddies help maintain healthy populations of phytoplankton, which are essential for carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change effects.
The researchers used a new technique to capture the first cross-sectional images of carbon dioxide in the exhaust plume of a commercial jet engine. The images show a ring-structure of high carbon dioxide concentration and a raised region in the middle of the plume.
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.
Researchers at PNNL and UW discover a flow-based method to isolate pure magnesium salt from seawater, skipping energy-intensive purification steps. This approach could revolutionize US domestic magnesium production and enable more efficient processing of seawater.
Researchers have discovered that Mexican mangrove forests have been absorbing and storing carbon for an impressive 5,000 years. The study found that these unique ecosystems are capable of retaining large amounts of carbon due to the presence of certain microorganisms.
Realizing net-zero food systems necessitates the adoption of new technologies and diet shifts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to achieve a net-zero emission global food system by 2050, with a roadmap outlining milestones for implementation by 2030 and 2040.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study comparing Ohio nature reserves and high-input agricultural lands found that nature reserves can store significantly more carbon. The researchers analyzed soil organic carbon storage, quality, and lability in these two types of land uses.
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.
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.
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.
Argonne researchers develop a new way to calculate the environmental impact of ammonia production, evaluating two promising methods: carbon capture and water electrolysis. The study aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use in fertilizer production.
Researchers have developed a method to convert methane into methanol under ambient conditions, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and paving the way for alternative fuels. The process uses photocatalysts and has potential to mitigate climate change by utilizing methane reserves.
Research from Aarhus University shows that EU's high gas prices are driving the green transition and making it easier to meet 1.5-degree climate target. The study suggests that cutting off Russian gas would force European countries to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham discovered a key gene controlling root growth angle, enabling crops to grow steeper roots and capture more nutrients and carbon. This finding has potential applications for developing new crop varieties with improved resilience to drought stress.
Researchers developed Direct Air Capture technology to remove carbon dioxide from the air using special rail cars attached to trains. The technology harnesses sustainable energy generated during braking to capture significant quantities of CO2, making it commercially viable and attractive.
Researchers found that current reported rates of carbon capture are overestimated by 19-30%, with actual storage rates being significantly lower. This discrepancy affects the accuracy of climate change mitigation impact assessments and hinders efforts to tackle the crisis.
Researchers found that two-dimensional ionic liquids exhibit anomalous stepwise melting processes, leading to high CO2 adsorption capacity and structural robustness. This technology could provide a new method for precise control and functional design of liquids, promising various chemical engineering applications.
Researchers from Japan developed a new model to assess mangrove forest productivity, which is influenced by environmental factors such as sea surface temperature and salinity. The model uses satellite data to estimate productivity and performed better than traditional terrestrial models.
Researchers at UNH found that silvopasture reduced carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions compared to traditional pasture. The study provides a viable alternative for farmers looking to mitigate climate change in temperate regions.
Researchers at NC State University developed a proposed new textile-based filter that combines cotton fabric and an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase to separate carbon dioxide from air and gas mixtures. The filter showed promising results, capturing up to 81.7% of CO2 with a double-stacked filter.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed an innovative carbon capture system that removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere with unprecedented performance. The isophorone diamine-based system achieves 99% efficiency and can process low concentrations of CO2 in air at a rate twice as fast as existing systems.
Researchers have developed a new carbon capture method using sponge-like materials that can trap CO2 without degrading over time. The materials are made from sugar and low-cost alkali metal salts, making them a potentially cost-effective solution for reducing coal-fired power plant emissions.
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.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a low-cost supercapacitor device that selectively captures CO2 gas while charging. The device uses sustainable materials and can store energy while capturing climate-changing emissions.
A team of Texas A&M University researchers has created a monitoring system that can rapidly detect and track the movement of carbon dioxide stored underground. Using unsupervised machine learning, their system can identify CO2 plumes and locations with high accuracy, reducing the risk of unregistered escapes.
The MechanicalTree is a scalable solution for reducing carbon emissions by collecting CO2 from the atmosphere without the need for blowers or fans. It has the potential to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming by capturing approximately 1,000 tons of CO2 per day.
The study reveals that carbon storage in soil depends on the spatial distribution of pores, with a higher concentration of carbon found near pores. The researchers used X-ray CT to visualize pore systems and found that microbial activity decreases with increasing distance from the pores.
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.
Researchers found evidence of declining nitrogen availability in various ecosystems, including grasslands and forests, due to multiple environmental changes. The decline is linked to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and reduced plant growth, with implications for the global carbon cycle.
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
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.
The University of Surrey has developed a method to capture CO2 directly from the air and use dynamic catalysis to create carbon-negative methanol, which could offset the cost of direct air capture. The project aims to produce a valuable chemical that can help scale up direct air capture technology.
Researchers develop new membranes to capture more efficient CO2 from mixed gases, addressing trade-off between permeability and selectivity. The technology increases CO2 selectivity by up to 150 times while retaining relative high permeability.
A new framework will help conservation agencies forecast climate change impacts and identify target areas for protection. The project aims to create adaptable portfolios of target sites for biodiversity conservation over time.
A study of 264 studies in 53 countries found that natural forests better support biodiversity and ecosystem services like carbon storage and water conservation. In contrast, plantations excel in wood production, highlighting a trade-off between environmental and economic goals in forest restoration.
A new study found that restoring diverse native forests delivers greater climate and environmental benefits than simple tree plantations, but plantations outperform native forests in wood production. The research synthesized data from over 26,000 records to assess the relative performance of different forest restoration approaches.
A new study from St John's College, University of Cambridge suggests that robots can help produce solar fuels, accelerating the world's transition to green renewables. The 'cyber-leaf' concept uses AI and robots to create sustainable syngas, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new tool for capturing heat-trapping gases and converting them into beneficial substances. The method predicts the strength of chemical bonds between carbon dioxide and potential binders, enabling researchers to identify suitable candidates for carbon capture.
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.
A new recipe for sustainable concrete has been developed at the University of Córdoba, capturing 181% more CO2 from the atmosphere than conventional methods. The use of carbonated water and recycled aggregates reduces greenhouse gas emissions and advances the cement industry's aim to achieve climate neutrality.
A new study suggests that relocating farmland could reduce global carbon emissions by 71% and increase biodiversity by 87%. The researchers mapped out optimal locations for major food crops, recommending areas in the US Midwest and sub-Saharan Africa to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact.
A team of researchers has found that plastic waste-derived porous materials can adsorb CO2 from flue gas, reducing plastic pollution and emissions. The study suggests that these materials could be used in industrial-scale applications, making them a promising alternative to conventional CO2 capture technologies.