Scientists have created a new method for quickly detecting and identifying very low concentrations of gases, offering promise for real-time monitoring in environmental, health, and industrial applications. The approach uses a coherent control strategy to enhance the sensitivity of quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests using clay to convert CO2 into food for zooplankton, which expel it as carbon-filled feces in the deep sea. This method accelerates the ocean's natural cycle for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
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.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A team of researchers from Empa and the University of Bristol used a novel tracer gas method to accurately measure HFC-23 emissions from a Teflon factory. The study found that abatement measures were effective in reducing emissions, but discrepancies between reported and actual emissions suggest need for independent verification.
The new ERC EARTH research center will focus on developing sustainable refrigerant technologies and practices to improve quality of life and combat climate change. Lehigh University's team, led by David Vicic, will work on reclamation and repurposing of high-GWP legacy refrigerants.
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
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.
A recent study by Stockholm University reveals that warming temperatures can speed up carbon dioxide emissions from ecosystems, but only if the environment is sufficiently moist. This finding highlights the critical role of water in the feedback loop between temperature and ecosystem metabolism.
A team of scientists from Heriot-Watt University has developed an AI-powered platform called PrISMa to accelerate the discovery of top-performing materials for carbon capture applications. The platform uses advanced simulations and machine learning to identify cost-effective and sustainable material-capture process combinations.
Texas A&M University has received a $1.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a technology capable of separating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in two ways: designing and testing a separation technology, and incorporating machine learning-based data-driven decision frameworks for reverse logistics.
A new study finds that the US Drought Monitor is not keeping pace with climate change, leading to frequent severe droughts being classified as rare. The consequences are dire, with some regions spending more time in extreme drought conditions than federal guidelines allow, potentially leaving them without adequate aid.
Researchers found that human-induced fluid fluxes in the deep subsurface are higher than natural rates, posing environmental impacts. The study highlights the need to manage the subsurface responsibly for a green transition and sustainable future.
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.
A new study from Colorado State University suggests that transitioning to green wastewater-treatment approaches, financed through carbon markets, could save $15.6 billion and reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by 30 million tonnes over 40 years. The research explores the potential economic tradeoffs of switching to green infrastructure an...
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%.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that California is the nation's greatest emitter of sulfuryl fluoride, a common pesticide. The majority of emissions come from structural fumigation in just a few counties, contributing to global warming.
A young researcher from the University of Copenhagen has made a surprising discovery of high concentrations of methane in meltwater from three Canadian mountain glaciers. The findings challenge previous assumptions that methane in meltwater could only be found in oxygen-free environments under large ice masses.
Research suggests polar climates are adjusting to a warming climate with changes in regional climate dynamics. Altered ocean-sea ice interactions may be driving recent fluctuations in sea ice extent, according to new studies.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Tidal landscapes like mangroves and salt marshes are a greater carbon sink than previously thought, with stored carbon in biomass and muddy soils contributing to climate change mitigation. The new findings also show that bicarbonate exports from these ecosystems double the size of the carbon trap, making them even more effective.
A new Dartmouth study finds that seasonal snowpacks have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change. The sharpest global warming-related reductions are in the Southwestern and Northeastern United States, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.
A new study by ICTA-UAB shows that pursuing higher economic growth may jeopardise the Paris goals and leave no viable pathways for humanity to stabilise the climate. Slower growth rates make it more feasible to achieve the Paris goals, with lower economic growth reducing CO2 emissions by 10-13% by 2030.
Scientists simulated the runaway greenhouse effect, transforming habitable climates into hostile environments, with significant changes in atmospheric structure and cloud coverage. The study provides key insights for the search of life elsewhere, as it demonstrates a critical water vapor threshold beyond which a planet cannot cool down.
Plants capture more carbon on weekends when industrial production decreases and fewer people commute, finding similar patterns during COVID-19 lockdowns. This improvement in air quality could enhance natural carbon sequestration and mitigate climate change.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a passive radiative cooling material that achieves high-performance optical properties. The cooling ceramic reduces thermal load, provides stable cooling performance, and can be used in various building applications.
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
A new study found that making simple substitutions like switching from beef to chicken or plant-based milk can reduce the average American's carbon footprint from food by 35%, while also boosting diet quality by between 4-10%. These small changes can have a significant impact on both climate and health outcomes.
Researchers at MSU are developing new, sustainable materials that can repair themselves and capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By combining 3D printing with microorganisms, they aim to create carbon-negative building materials.
Researchers at UTSA have been awarded a grant to develop a new technology that converts carbon dioxide into a raw material for producing chemical products. The project has the potential to create a productive area of catalysis research and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Researchers investigated Japan's market for incorporating greener plastics to achieve carbon neutrality. They found that bioplastics have the lowest global warming potential, while recycled plastics are cheaper but with lower quality and recyclability. A robust recycling system is crucial to ensure quality assurance.
A new study from the University of Washington and Polar Bears International reveals a direct link between cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear demographic changes. The study shows that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help protect polar bears, with implications beyond just this species.
Researchers found that while tourists won't change their near-term plans due to climate change, more than two-thirds will reconsider by 2060 under drastically changed conditions. By 2060, 70% of tourists plan to shorten their trips in response to climate change.
A new study reveals that volcanic eruptions can temporarily weaken the Pacific Walker Circulation, a major driver of global precipitation. The recent strengthening of this circulation suggests that aerosols from human activity may have an opposite effect on its behavior.
A new study found that Sahara dust can enhance the removal of methane from the atmosphere through a photocatalytic reaction. The reaction involves the activation of mineral dust and sea spray aerosols in the presence of sunlight, producing chlorine atoms that oxidize atmospheric methane and tropospheric ozone.
A team of researchers at Lancaster University developed accessible ways to communicate sustainability research using fairy tale characters. The 'Telling Tales' project aims to make complicated arguments more engaging and understandable for policymakers and the public.
Carreon is developing technology to capture and convert greenhouse gases into clean-burning fuels using reactors powered by renewable energy sources. Her $538,659 NSF award will support this research over five years.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute developed an ammonia-based direct reduction process to produce sustainable iron and steel, overcoming logistics and energetic disadvantages of hydrogen. The process yields the same metallization degree as hydrogen-based reduction while forming nitrides that protect the sponge iron from corrosion.
Climate change may lead to significant declines in US forest inventories, particularly in the South, resulting in reduced timber production and increased costs. The study projects losses of up to 23% by 2100, with potential gains in some regions driven by climate-adaptive species.
Dimethyl sulfide levels have increased in Arctic air over the past five decades, according to a study led by Hokkaido University. The team tracked the rise in emissions through measurements of methane sulfonic acid in Greenland ice cores, finding higher levels between 2002 and 2014.
Researchers warn of impending 35-60 year droughts in western US unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed to limit warming to 2.5 degrees Celsius. Mountain snowpack is shrinking due to global warming, threatening agriculture, ecosystem support, and urban water supplies.
A new study reveals that large parts of Europe are experiencing faster-than-average warming during summer months, leading to worse heatwaves and an increased risk of fires. The climate across the continent has also become drier, particularly in southern Europe.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Scientists warn that climate change is at the door and pounding hard due to rising global temperatures, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. The report highlights urgent need to protect nature, eliminate fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations.
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.
Shorter winters have reduced ice coverage by 31 days over the past 165 years, leading to altered lake biota, increased evaporation and salinity. Climate change is expected to worsen these effects, threatening ecosystem services including water quality and human consumption.
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.
A new study projects that unprecedented drought conditions will become more frequent and consecutive in certain regions due to global warming. The research analyzed changes in drought day frequency for 59 global subcontinental regions until the end of the 21st century.
A new study in Northern Sweden found that methane emissions from thawing permafrost can be reduced by a factor of 10 due to changes in hydrology, plant community, and microorganisms. As permafrost thaws, new plant species adapt to drier soil conditions, reducing methane transport and allowing bacteria to break it down.
Research reveals that tropospheric ozone contributes more to the Southern Ocean's warming than previously thought. This finding highlights the importance of reducing air pollution to mitigate ocean heat uptake and climate change.
A new study finds that immediate action to reduce methane emissions could preserve Arctic summer sea ice through 2100, with drastic cuts in CO2 also necessary. The chances of saving summer sea ice increase from nearly zero without action to over 80% if net zero CO2 emissions are reached by 2050.
A Kyoto University study reveals that four major oil corporations make unsubstantial commitments to cleaner energy. Despite increased public relations efforts, these companies persistently rely on fossil fuels and show no strong evidence of a shift towards non-fossil fuel energy.
Researchers at Lehigh University are working on a project funded by the Good Food Institute grant to adapt human tissue engineering techniques for growing meat in the lab. The team is developing a scaffold for meat cells to grow on and using electrochemistry, nanomaterial design, and liposomal delivery vehicles to promote fibrous growth.
Scientists from UCLA develop a do-it-yourself radiative cooler using household materials, achieving moderate to large temperature drops. The design's reproducibility and low cost make it an attractive standard for research settings.
Researchers identified three MOFs providing the most energy efficient capture of SF6 under vacuum swing adsorption, while two others showed best performance under pressure swing adsorption. The study suggests that materials optimal for one process may not be optimal for the other.
Research led by VUB team shows that global changes in lake temperature and ice cover are caused by human-induced climate change, posing a threat to water quality and native fish species.
A team of Texas A&M University researchers propose capturing CO2 and water from passenger vehicle exhaust for use in urban greenhouses. Preliminary simulations indicate that the system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a sustainable source of reclaimed resources for food production.
A new study using Argo system ocean temperature data refines climate modeling predictions by identifying models most consistent with observations. The analysis shows that land and air temperatures only tell part of the story, with oceans storing 90% of the planet's heat.
Research suggests that high-latitude vegetation growth can impede the spread of midlatitude deserts by altering regional energy balances. The study found significant retreat of southern midlatitude desert boundaries and expansion of polar ice belts and low-latitude vegetation zones.