Articles tagged with Greenhouse Gases
A new study concludes that nuclear power has prevented about 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths and released 64 billion tons of greenhouse gases since 1971. By mid-century, nuclear power could prevent up to 7 million additional deaths and 240 billion tons of emissions.
A study by researchers at Empa and ETH Zurich found that none of Switzerland's households meet the 2000-watt society target, but those with high standards of living consume significantly less energy. Improving transportation and living habits are key to achieving a sustainable future.
A recent study found a weakening trend in the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical upper atmosphere, consistent with computer model projections of global warming. This decline may impact the chemical composition and climate of the global atmosphere.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new technique that allows for rapid scanning of atmospheric gases, enabling faster and more accurate detection of greenhouse gases. This innovation has the potential to improve climate science by combining high-accuracy measurements from various platforms.
New research estimates that Europe can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land use by over 60% by 2050 through efficient agriculture and forest management. This reduction would be driven primarily by cutting emissions from livestock production and optimizing forest management to increase carbon sequestration.
A University of Alberta study found that wealthy households emit more greenhouse gases than average, while low-income households generate significantly less. The study recommends policymakers consider incentives for smaller homes and public transit to address this issue.
A new dynamic mathematical model estimates variation in greenhouse gas emissions in response to changes in wastewater management systems. The study provides more accurate and detailed predictions than current steady-state models, with implications for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
A study developed a new model to improve climate balance in agriculture by identifying key factors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and energy inefficiencies. Organic farming strategies, such as planting legumes and using soil less intensively, show promise for reducing emissions and improving yields.
Researchers will explore yielding more high-quality organic rice using environmentally friendly methods. The studies aim to improve soil quality, reduce disease loss and increase yield and milling quality for the crop.
A new study by Lund University researchers reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice is causing a significant disturbance to the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This change has far-reaching consequences for the global climate, as plants and oceans absorb half of the carbon dioxide released into the air through human activities.
A new study by University of Toronto Professor Chris Kennedy and World Bank climate change specialist Lorraine Sugar shows that cities can make a positive difference in reducing GHG emissions. They propose realistic steps such as increasing bicycling infrastructure and encouraging electric cars to achieve a 70% reduction in emissions.
A new national poll conducted by Duke University found that 64% of Americans strongly support regulating greenhouse gas emissions and requiring utilities to switch to lower-carbon fuel sources. However, support for market-based approaches like cap-and-trade or a carbon tax is low, with only 29% in favor.
A new study reveals that ozone depletion has a greater impact on the jet stream's southward shift than increasing greenhouse gases. Researchers analyzed wind patterns over a 10-day period and found that ozone depletion was associated with a poleward shift of westerlies, while greenhouse gases were linked to an equatorward shift.
A new study reveals that global warming from greenhouse gases has a weaker impact on global precipitation compared to solar heating. The researchers found that the global rainfall rate increased by about 40% less during the present-day warming period than during past warming phases, despite higher temperatures.
Researchers found that mealworm farms produce more edible protein than traditional animal farms for chicken, pork, beef, or milk, using less land and similar amounts of energy. Mealworms also produce less greenhouse gas emissions than other animals grown for meat.
Global negotiators gather in Qatar to work on an amendment that would create a second round of emissions cuts for certain industrialized nations, starting in 2013. The effort aims to extend international momentum to act on climate change after the Kyoto agreement expires this year.
A new study reveals that microbes beyond denitrifiers contribute to consuming nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2. This discovery reconciles inconsistencies in nitrous oxide emission predictions and advances understanding of ecological controls on global emissions.
A new model promises to maximize the effectiveness of solar radiation management while mitigating its potential side effects and risks. The study found that tailored solar geoengineering might limit Arctic sea ice loss with several times less total solar shading than in a uniform case.
A new study predicts that sea levels will continue to rise for thousands of years due to irreversible warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The research suggests that the Earth's ice sheets and oceans will contribute significantly to this rise, with a possible increase of up to 6.8 meters in the next thousand years.
Despite reducing greenhouse gas emissions, many biofuels lead to environmental pollution, such as acid in soil and polluted lakes and rivers. Only a few biofuels have a better ecobalance than petrol, with biogas from residues and waste materials showing promise.
A reduced dietary pattern featuring less red and processed meat significantly reduces the risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer by 3-12%. It also leads to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 28 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
A new analysis by Arpad Horvath and Mikhail Chester finds that California's proposed high-speed rail system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to cars and air travel. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, assesses the sustainability of different transportation modes using life-cycle assessments.
Researchers developed a new model to analyze 'well-to-wheel' greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands and conventional crude oils. They found that lifecycle emissions vary widely depending on project conditions and technology used.
The EUREAPA tool analyzes environmental impacts of different policies and scenarios, allowing policymakers to investigate how different policy changes affect future environmental pressures. It also helps track effects of decisions and ensure meeting of environmental goals.
A study by the University of Edinburgh finds that 360,000 tonnes of milk wasted in the UK each year results in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 100,000 tonnes of CO2, comparable to 20,000 cars annually. Researchers suggest reducing food consumption and waste, as well as improving fertiliser efficiency, can help curb emissions.
A National Academy of Sciences study found that oil palm expansion will lead to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, with peatlands being a critical contributor. The researchers suggest protecting forests, peatlands, and implementing sustainable practices to reduce emissions and maintain forest cover.
A new analysis reveals that pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) power-generating stations could meet the energy needs of half a billion people by tapping into the global potential of rivers flowing into the sea. This sustainable process requires no fuel and releases no greenhouse gases.
A new analysis raises concerns that large-scale bioenergy production from forest biomass is unsustainable and will increase greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights potential ecological and economic drawbacks, including depleted soil nutrients, loss of biodiversity, and higher costs for bioenergy.
Scientists have measured the carbon content of Sri Lanka's natural forests, finding that nearly half of greenhouse gas emissions originate from deforestation. The study suggests alternative ecosystems can bind carbon while providing food and protection for local populations.
An international team of researchers recommends regulating the most potent fluorinated greenhouse gases to avoid negating the positive effects of the Montreal Protocol. Long-lived HFCs, such as R-134a, pose a significant threat to the climate due to their high global warming potential.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 studies on MOFs, concluding they have immense potential for various applications. The special issue of Chemical Reviews presents the latest advances and prospects for commercial applications of these materials.
A study led by Phil Duffy of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found that previously rare high summertime temperatures are already occurring more frequently in some US regions. By mid-century, these extreme summer temperatures will occur in well over 50% of summers throughout the lower 48 states.
A new study suggests EU biofuels could be just as bad for the environment as traditional petrol, due to higher-than-thought CO2 emissions from oil palm plantations. The research reveals that expanding palm oil production can increase emissions by up to 60%.
The University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research finds that Maryland's Climate Action Plan improves electric reliability while having a negligible impact on manufacturers. The plan is expected to generate new business opportunities and jobs in the green sector, with potential growth in employment opportunities.
Climate change has contributed roughly half to the increase in Mediterranean winter droughts since 1902, with sea surface temperature patterns driving this relationship. The region's dry conditions are expected to worsen, threatening food security and water scarcity.
Researchers quantify urban 'heat island' effect for the first time, showing its modest contribution to global warming. The study reveals that white roofs do not reduce the urban heat island effect and may even cause a net global warming due to increased cloudiness.
Researchers project sea level rise of up to 5.5 meters by 2500 under pessimistic scenario, with accelerated rise over centuries even after emissions stabilization.
A new report by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute identifies gaps in Panama's forest monitoring, making it difficult to track emission reductions from REDD+ activities. The study emphasizes the need for low-cost, verifiable forest monitoring techniques to verify the effectiveness of conservation strategies.
A new study finds that congestion pricing works best when partnered with land-use planning, suggesting that the two strategies are mutually supportive. The study analyzed data from a Portland mileage-fee pilot program and found that VMT reduction is greater in traditional neighborhoods than suburban ones.
Researchers suggest using linear compensation to design emissions reduction strategies that benefit all nations, with punishments adjusted relative to other countries' performance. This mechanism leverages national abatement efforts to incentivize cooperation.
A study found that expressing nitrous oxide emissions per unit of crop yield, rather than on a more conventional per area basis, produced significantly different results. Emissions were 52% higher under no-till compared to conventional tillage for the same amount of grain.
A study published in Nature journal has identified the structure of the enzyme that decomposes nitrous oxide, a harmful climate gas with a 300 times stronger impact than carbon dioxide. The discovery provides insight into the decomposition mechanism and its dependence on environmental conditions, which may help prevent N2O emissions.
Two UC Irvine papers suggest that reduced use of petroleum and increased capture of natural gas contributed to the leveling off of methane levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, a second study found that changes in Asian farming practices, particularly the use of inorganic fertilizers, were a key factor in reducing methane emissions.
A new study suggests that growing perennial grasses on underproductive farmland used for corn ethanol production could lead to higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre, and better groundwater quality. The switch would also slash emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
A new €3.5 million EU-funded research project will examine the impact of climate policies on human health in seven cities across Europe and China, with a focus on integrating data from various sources to inform key policy decisions.
A new climate study by Stanford University scientists predicts that tropical regions will experience permanent summer heat increases, with many areas seeing unprecedented extreme temperatures. This could lead to severe consequences for human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.
A study by UCSB researchers found that over 99% of produce grown in Santa Barbara County is exported, while 95% of consumed produce is imported from abroad. Localization of the food system may not lead to better nutrition or decreased environmental impact as expected.
A study suggests that cutting Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by a half within 20 years is achievable through the use of smart meters, improved recycling, and greener building designs. The researchers recommend carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions from industry and coal-fired power plants.
Biologists from University of Texas at Austin suggest focusing on interactions between climate change and human activities like air pollution, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation. Local factors like host plant competition and water pollution are critical in understanding species decline.
Experts warn that doubling energy demand by 2050 poses significant challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Berkeley scientists stress the need for efficient energy use, low-carbon electricity options, and strategic behavioral changes to meet state's ambitious goal.
Research shows that even if all greenhouse gas emissions stopped now, Earth would still experience warming due to lingering emissions and aerosol particles. Temperatures could rise up to 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than pre-Industrial Revolution levels.
A climate tax on meat and milk consumption could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from European agriculture by up to seven percent. Land made available for bioenergy production offers a six-time greater decrease in emissions.
A recent study suggests that European seasonal temperatures have been affected by volcanic eruptions, solar activity, and greenhouse gas emissions since the 17th century. The research team used climate models and historical data to reconstruct past climate scenarios, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of climate change.
A new study suggests that freshwater methane emissions impact the global balance of greenhouse gases, with a potential 25% change in net absorption rates. The research highlights the importance of including inland waters in carbon budgets, as they are more active in carbon processing than seas or land surfaces.
Researchers found that polar bear populations could decline by two-thirds by mid-century, but emissions reduction can mitigate this. Sea ice habitat won't face a catastrophic 'tipping point' under mitigation scenarios.
A Michigan State University study found that rivers and streams are a significant source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing twice as much as previously estimated. The increased production can be linked to nitrogen fertilizers and crop cultivation, highlighting the need for reduced agricultural fertilizer use.
New research indicates that if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially, enough Arctic ice may remain for polar bears to survive. The study found no 'tipping point' beyond which summer sea ice loss would be unstoppable, offering a hopeful message but also an incentive to mitigate emissions.
The University of New Hampshire will lead a $700,000 study on greenhouse gas emissions at traditional and organic dairy farms. The three-year project aims to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers by developing extension programs and decision-support tools.
Scientists at the University of Manchester suggest using building district heating schemes with sustainable fuels could drastically reduce greenhouse gases while being cost-effective. The plans have been met with majority support from focus groups in the UK public.
Researchers have found dry water to be an effective material for absorbing carbon dioxide, with the ability to store gases safely. It also accelerates catalyzed reactions used in producing consumer products such as drugs, food ingredients, and other goods.