Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
The Southern Ocean's ecosystem is facing major stressors from climate change, including melting sea ice and ocean acidification. Overfishing of species such as toothfish and krill is predicted to exacerbate environmental impacts on the entire ecosystem.
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.
Research suggests that social norms can be harnessed to bring about collective climate action and policy change, but requires deep contextual knowledge to be used effectively. Social norm interventions aim to increase adoption of sustainable behaviors, while social-tipping interventions disrupt unsustainable norms.
A two-year research project aims to overcome technical difficulties in large-scale algae cultivation, a promising method for climate change mitigation. The ROBA project focuses on developing economically feasible algal cultivation processes using advanced measurement technologies and bioprocess engineering.
The ForestPaths project will co-design, quantify and evaluate forest-based solutions to meet the EU’s Climate Targets for 2030 and 2050. The project will work with practitioners, policymakers, and regional authorities to determine climate- and biodiversity-smart forest management options.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals how cattle ranchers in Brazil cope with weather shocks. The research found that ranchers make decisions based on rainfall patterns and anticipate extreme dry seasons by selling animals for slaughter or to confinement operations, which can decouple food sources from current weather.
Climate change threatens societal capacity, leading to governance failures and basic necessities shortages. The authors propose three collapse scenarios: direct effects, indirect impacts on trade and international cooperation, and decreased adaptability.
New research models the value of clean hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industries and transportation in China. A widespread application of clean hydrogen in HTA sectors can save $1.72 trillion in investment costs and avoid a 0.13% loss in aggregate GDP.
A new report highlights the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' knowledge systems to address climate change. The authors argue that these knowledge systems bring alternative ways of understanding and addressing complex global problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
New research shows that elevated carbon dioxide levels in forests in the US have increased wood volume by up to 20%, making trees more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is called carbon fertilization and can help mitigate climate change, potentially reducing costs associated with mitigation efforts.
A new study finds that even a modest temperature increase of 1.5°C will spell serious consequences in India, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Brazil, and Egypt, with droughts projected to last longer than two years in some countries. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could greatly benefit all six countries, but meeting the Paris Accords is crucial to r...
A recent study found that climate change could increase suitable habitat for the brown marmorated stink bug in the US by 70%. The insects are a generalist herbivore, known to feast on nearly 170 different plants, including crops and ornamental plants.
The presentation discusses how climate change affects diabetes care and emphasizes the need for a green transition to reduce healthcare's environmental footprint. Reducing environmental impact can also improve health outcomes, according to Dr. Fiona Adshead.
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.
A new University of California San Diego study reveals collaboration between the US and China on low-carbon technologies poses little national security risk and manageable economic risks. The study's findings challenge common assumptions that decoupling from China harms global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that using 'cracking' technology to break down exhaled nitrous oxide can significantly reduce ambient levels in maternity settings. The study showed a 71-81% reduction in nitrous oxide levels when using specific masks and coaching, suggesting pregnant women should be offered device choice options.
A consultant anaesthetist used a nitrous oxide cracking device to reduce her own exposure to the greenhouse gas during labour. The technology helps collect and break down nitrous oxide breathed out via a facemask, making it easier to use and reducing environmental harm.
The study quantifies the impact of human activity on the Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity, highlighting that forest degradation leads to significant losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts are crucial to reverse these effects and protect the biome's carbon stocks.
Researchers aim to improve and expand Enzymatic Construction Material (ECM), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete that can repair cracks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will also support programs to inspire girls' interests in engineering and construction, addressing the industry's gender gap.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati found that emphasizing cost savings over global warming increases support for renewable energy sources. The study tested four messaging approaches and found durable bipartisan effects in favor of cost savings.
The International Journal of Dermatology calls on dermatologists to take action against climate change by reducing carbon emissions through increased use of telehealth. The authors also emphasize the need for funding prioritization for climate-health research to improve healthcare sustainability and decarbonize the profession.
New research warns that climate change is putting the availability of biomass fuels and technologies at risk, as temperatures rise and crop yields decrease. The study highlights the need for urgent action to reduce fossil fuels in favour of bioenergy and other renewables to avoid severe food shortages and accelerated climate change.
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.
The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East are expected to warm by up to 5°C this century, with unprecedented heatwaves, droughts, and dust storms predicted. The region is warming almost twice as fast as the global average, posing significant threats to water and food security.
A new study suggests that global fish stocks will not be able to recover to sustainable levels without strong actions to mitigate climate change and overfishing. Climate change has reduced fish stocks in 103 of 226 marine regions studied, including Canada, from their historical levels.
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.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has revealed that PIF7 and auxin proteins accelerate plant growth when exposed to warm temperatures and canopy shade. This discovery will help scientists predict how plants respond to climate change and increase crop productivity, enabling the development of more resilient crops.
A Chinese research group found that China's natural climate solutions (NCS) can counterbalance 11-12% of industrial CO2 emissions by 2030. The study quantified NCS pathways, including conservation, restoration, and improved forest management, and estimated their contribution to climate change mitigation.
A new study finds that adapting to climate change will require more energy than previously estimated, leading to higher energy investments and costs. Ambitious mitigation policies can cut the increase in energy system costs induced by adaptation, resulting in net gains.
Researchers from Kyushu University analyzed global patent applications to identify R&D strategies for sustainable mining technologies. The study found that the Paris Agreement and raw metal price trends influence CCMT development, with varying degrees of impact by country.
Researchers led by Cornell University are evaluating the potential of making the stratosphere 'brighter' to cool the Earth. They use geoengineering simulations to assess the impact of injecting sulfate aerosols, a known pollutant, on climate change mitigation strategies.
Wheat yields are projected to alter unevenly due to climate change, leading to price spikes in Global South and exacerbating existing inequalities. Global warming could deepen trade positions, causing more frequent and steep wheat price spikes in low-latitude regions.
A study found that concurrent heat and drought events can have devastating effects on multiple sectors, including human health, energy, and agriculture. The research highlights the importance of considering compound extreme events in adaptation efforts to improve resilience.
A comprehensive assessment of scientific literature found that more than 58% of human diseases caused by pathogens have been aggravated by climatic hazards. The research identified 218 out of 375 known human pathogenic diseases affected by at least one climatic hazard via 1,006 unique pathways.
Pollen from ragweed plants in different regions exhibits varying levels of aggression, influencing allergic reactions. Climate change is projected to increase ragweed allergy cases to 77 million by 2060.
Experts argue that seagrasses are crucial for achieving the UN Sustainable Development goals due to their carbon absorption and biodiversity benefits. The conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows can help tackle climate change and promote biodiversity recovery, making them a nature-based solution for the planet's future.
A recent study combined elevation data of the Antarctic ice sheet from two different satellites, CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3, to obtain a more accurate map of latest elevation changes. The results showed that the average elevation of the ice sheets had decreased at a rate of 4.3 cm/year during 2016-2019.
A new study concludes that net zero carbon emissions in the concrete industry need both supply-side and demand-side strategies. Changes in purchasing habits and infrastructure design can reduce concrete consumption, promoting recycling, reuse, and material efficiency.
A new study reveals that the volume and rate of carbon dioxide emitted from supervolcanoes controlled the severity of past environmental crises. The research found that enormous super volcanic eruptions made a comparatively small dent in our environmental and biological cycle, whereas rapid releases of massive amounts of CO2 led to sev...
A study by Brazilian, Chinese, Australian, and German researchers found that North Atlantic temperature can predict reduced rainfall and intense droughts in the Northeast region of Brazil. The findings suggest a more persistent influence of the North Atlantic than previously thought.
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.
A team has developed a plan to retrofit train cars with direct air capture technology, which can remove up to 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The system uses energy generated from the train's braking system, reducing costs and environmental impact.
A FAU Harbor Branch study demonstrates hydrology impacts through high-resolution simulation model. Increased freshwater discharge contributes to intensified shelf water mixing that favors surface intrusion of Loop Current waters.
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.
A new study found that as the globe warms, infected pines starve and disease-causing fungi become more aggressive, reducing the trees' capacity to carry out photosynthesis and invest in growth and defense. This can lead to a decrease in carbon sequestration rates, exacerbating climate change.
Researchers warn that climate change will cause significant food losses in tropical coastal communities due to increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The study predicts greater losses for fisheries than agriculture, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation.
A new study by ICTA-UAB reveals that existing climate mitigation scenarios perpetuate energy use inequalities between the Global North and South. To stop climate change, the Global North must reduce its energy consumption to sustainable levels while allowing for sufficient growth in energy use in the rest of the world.
Researchers from PSU and WSU aim to understand how atmospheric ridges impact the region's climate. The project will investigate how ridges respond to global warming and its effects on heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
Direct air carbon capture and sequestration technologies aim to remove CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050. A global research effort assesses the environmental trade-offs of two promising DAC technologies, considering their energy intensity and potential system feedbacks.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters estimates that thousands of heat-related child deaths could be prevented if temperature increases are limited to the Paris Agreement's 1.5ºC target through to 2050. Under a high emission scenario, heat-related child mortality is projected to double by 2049 compared to 2005-2014.
The European Federation for Science Journalism announces the judging panel for its 2022 Climate Investigation Grant, comprising journalist and scientist experts in climate change and storytelling. The grant aims to support ambitious field investigations on climate topics across eight European countries.
A recent NTU Singapore study finds that climate change is a stronger driver of increasing atmospheric methane than expected, leading to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere. The research suggests that nature could be producing more and consuming less methane than previously realized, contributing to higher methane emissions.
Research funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund reveals agroecological practices like agroforestry improve farmers' financial savings, land area, and household assets. Adopting such practices can also enhance food security and wellbeing for smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania.
A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system enables energy-efficient food production, eliminating the need for sunlight. This breakthrough technology has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study models potential impacts on global biodiversity if temperatures increase by more than 2°C and then decline again. Tropical regions are most affected, with over 90% of species pushed outside their thermal niches.
A new study reconstructs the natural pace and pattern of carbon storage in forests over centuries, revealing that woody biomass nearly doubled during the last 8,000 years. This finding highlights the importance of preserving large trees to maintain carbon sequestration processes and buffer climate change.
Research shows that default options on carbon offsetting websites can lead to faster CO2 compensation, even at higher costs. The study found that as costs increase, the effectiveness of these defaults decreases. This suggests that people are price-sensitive when it comes to high-cost defaults.
Research finds that transportation accounts for 19% of global food-related emissions, with rich countries contributing disproportionately. Eating locally can reduce emissions by nearly half, but requires consumer behavior change.
Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.