Articles tagged with Greenhouse Gases
A new report from the University of Cambridge's Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy highlights the alarming trajectory of energy use by big tech companies, driven by AI growth. The report predicts that data centres could consume up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, far exceeding current emissions from air travel.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered that ship traffic triggers large methane emissions in shallow areas, including ports. The study found that cruise and container ships caused the most frequent and largest measured methane releases.
A new online platform, SMRT-Flames, estimates the health impacts of wildfire smoke and provides fire managers with tools to assess potential smoke exposure. The app uses a Harvard-developed computer model to predict how fires would behave across regions and how smoke would pool and disperse.
A new study from the University of California, Riverside shows that sealing manure ponds at a Central Valley farm can dramatically reduce atmospheric methane emissions. The researchers found that this method can achieve an 80% reduction in emissions, comparable to California state officials' climate planning estimates.
Mount Sinai Health System has received three prestigious awards from Practice Greenhealth for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The system's Mount Sinai Green program aims to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and create healthier environments. Recent initiatives include reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and improvi...
The ITU-WBA Greening Digital Companies report shows that tech sector carbon emissions continued to rise in recent years due to rapid advances in AI and data infrastructure. Despite this, the report highlights encouraging progress as more companies set emissions targets, source renewable energy, and align with science-based frameworks.
Researchers used satellite data from GOSAT-2 to estimate methane and carbon monoxide emissions in the world's 40 most populous cities. The analysis revealed significant variations between cities, with Beijing emitting approximately 4.3 times more CO per unit of CO2 compared to Tokyo.
A new MIT study reveals that climate change will make it harder to reduce ground-level ozone in certain regions, including eastern North America and Western Europe. In contrast, northeast Asia may see improvements in air quality with decreased nitrogen oxide emissions.
A new study reveals that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the Southern Ocean's carbon uptake are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease. The study found that as the ozone hole heals, its influence on the ocean's carbon sink diminishes, while the influence of greenhouse gas emissions rises.
A new open-source tool, greenfeedr, is introduced to simplify the process of analyzing GreenFeed data from livestock. The R package offers functions for downloading, processing, and generating reports, allowing researchers and producers to automate routine tasks and gain insights into methane and carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers highlight methane's significant role in climate change and its rapid acceleration. Methane concentrations have risen faster than carbon dioxide over the past five years, with potential for targeted mitigation strategies through real-time monitoring.
Researchers have discovered a way to regulate starch storage in algae using blue light-activated signalling pathways. This method has the potential to increase starch production in biofuels, improve nutritional value of agricultural feed supplements, and capture more carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gases.
New research warns that global policies may lead to triggering of multiple climate tipping points, with a 62% risk on average. However, sustainable future pathways with lower greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce this risk.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers lays out a scientific framework for tracing specific climate damages back to emissions from individual fossil fuel companies. The framework combines climate modeling with publicly available emissions data to provide robust emissions-based attributions of climate damages at the corporate scale.
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
A new study from the University of Illinois has rigorously sampled nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from commercial corn and soybean fields under practical management scenarios over multiple years. The dataset reveals that nitrous oxide emissions are highly variable, with hot spots moving around the field, making it challengi...
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered heavy methane emissions from Swedish lakes, posing significant environmental concerns. The findings suggest that these lakes may be contributing to the country's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study reveals China's NTEs were significant sources of CH₄ and N₂O emissions between 1980 and 2020, with an accumulated GWP of 5.55 Pg CO₂-equivalent. The net warming effect is primarily driven by N₂O emissions.
A study estimated that healthcare travel generates approximately 35.7 megatons of CO2e annually in the US, accounting for about 6% of national healthcare-related emissions. The study found that patient travel in rural areas resulted in higher emissions per trip compared to urban areas
Recent 'unprecedented' floods are not exceptional if looking further into the past, new research suggests. Geological palaeo-flood records reveal many previous floods exceeded modern peaks, highlighting the need for using these records in flood planning.
A study predicts that over 80% of amphibian species in the Upper Paraguay River Basin will lose suitable habitats by 2100. The region, which includes the Pantanal and its surroundings, is expected to experience local extinctions under both optimistic and pessimistic greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.
Researchers found that clothing rental companies in niche markets, such as sportswear, are more successful and sustainable. They identified key business models, including membership, subscription, and individual rental, and emphasized the importance of collaborations with suppliers and manufacturers.
The SwRI H2-ICE2 consortium aims to refine the performance and efficiency of hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles. The two-year program will test the vehicle's capabilities under various real-world conditions, with a focus on commercial viability.
An international team of glacier scientists has formed the Glacier Stewardship Program to address the challenges of glacier loss. The program aims to explore new technical approaches, mitigate impacts on communities, and establish a biobank to save glacier biodiversity.
Interest in second-hand electric vehicles (EVs) has doubled from 3.5% to 7% of advert views between 2022 and 2023, indicating a potential tipping point in the UK used car market. This growth is driven by 'sticky' interest that lasts longer, suggesting drivers are becoming more receptive to EVs.
New research from the University of Kansas found that completing a greenhouse gas emission inventory indeed moves the needle toward mitigation, with cities reducing their CO2 emissions by about 22 fewer pounds per capita. The addition of sustainability staff did not show a statistically significant reduction.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
A special issue of the Journal of Dairy Science provides detailed technical recommendations for developing and implementing feed additives to reduce methane emissions from ruminants. The guidelines cover testing, trial, and modeling phases to ensure efficacy and safety.
Countries are urged to update their National Determined Contribution plans to address plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The team suggests specific goals, such as cutting plastic production and incentivizing sustainable manufacturing.
A new study by MIT confirms the Antarctic ozone layer is healing, with high statistical confidence that reductions in CFCs are the primary cause. The research uses fingerprinting to isolate the anthropogenic signal and rule out natural variability.
A team of researchers led by Tufts University's Charles Sykes has discovered a new process for producing ethylene oxide, which is widely used in plastics, textiles, and disinfectants. The new method reduces CO2 emissions and eliminates the need for toxic chlorine.
A study at Michigan Medicine found that using less polluting inhaled anesthetic agents reduced CO2 equivalents by over 14 kg per case. This resulted in a 50% decrease in harmful emissions without impacting patient safety or outcomes.
A recent study reveals a significant long-term decline in downward surface solar radiation globally, with significant decadal variations observed over land. The research highlights the role of water vapor in DSSR changes, which was previously overlooked, and shows that future DSSR changes will depend heavily on emission scenarios.
Researchers found a universal emission factor line for global rivers, guiding effective mitigation of riverine N2O emissions. By controlling organic and NH4+ pollution, hotspots can be eliminated, reducing emissions by up to 63.7% in urban rivers.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that electric vehicles generally produce less non-exhaust emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles when driving in city conditions. The research also highlights the environmental benefits of regenerative braking, which reduces brake abrasion emissions.
A new study by IIASA scientists suggests that a mix of policy measures and behavioral changes can significantly reduce GHG emissions from energy use in buildings and transport. The strategies could reduce CO2 emissions from buildings by 51-85% and transport by 37-91% compared to current policies.
A new study finds that reducing sulphur in the air can lead to increased natural emissions of methane from wetlands, pushing emissions higher. The study suggests that current targets to reduce human-caused methane emissions need to be more stringent.
A new study by Purdue University reveals that improved crop varieties led to global benefits for the environment and food system sustainability. The analysis found that reduced agricultural land use saved 1,043 animal and plant species, with most avoided losses located in biodiversity hot spots.
Lithuania is undergoing a significant energy transformation to reduce its reliance on imported fuels and increase the share of renewable energy in its mix. The country has made notable progress in increasing its renewable energy share, with 70% of electricity coming from renewable sources in 2023.
A University of Michigan study found that people value their time similarly to the regional hourly wage when choosing between public transit and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The researchers suggest making transit more convenient could lead to larger gains in sustainability.
A Seoul National University team developed a breakthrough technique to improve metal-polymer joints, enabling the use of plastics in car parts and reducing overall vehicle weight. This method uses laser surface texturing to create strong and durable bonds between steel and plastic materials.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that floating solar panels increase methane and carbon dioxide emissions by 26.8% in small ponds, while also decreasing dissolved oxygen levels. The findings suggest that floating solar development may have unintended environmental impacts on ecosystems.
A new study suggests that counter climate change organizations are more likely to arise in countries with stronger environmental policies and institutions. These groups often have eclectic views not directly tied to economic or political interests, and are increasingly global in scope.
The university aims to improve operational efficiency, manage emissions, and build an inventory of methane emissions through three research projects. The efforts will also support workforce development and improve air quality in local communities.
A team of Illinois researchers has been awarded $5 million to create a new variety of corn called NSave, which aims to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use while maintaining crop yield. The project's goal is to lower costs for farmers and reduce the country's reliance on foreign fertilizer imports.
The article reveals that larger EVs are weighing more than conventional cars and require greater critical minerals to produce, delaying efforts to decarbonize the electricity grid. The growing size of EVs is also making waste processing and recycling hazardous
The study introduces a novel framework that accurately predicts global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions without relying on complex climate models. It confirms human-caused greenhouse gas emissions drive observed global warming, independently of conventional approaches.
Researchers from ETH Zurich developed hygroscopic wall and ceiling components that can significantly reduce humidity in heavily used indoor spaces, resulting in a 75% reduction in discomfort index compared to conventional painted walls.
A new study projects China's non-CO2 mitigation potentials and costs by 2060, finding that deep CH4 mitigation can enhance climate benefits. Non-CO2 reductions are expected to be less costly than CO2 reductions, with a 2.3-4.3 times greater climate benefit.
A new study by Finnish researchers found that recycled plastic railway sleepers can significantly reduce carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 3,610 tCO2e per year. The production process for these plastics requires less energy and generates fewer emissions than traditional materials like steel and concrete.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals greenhouse gas emissions from tourism have grown more than 2 times faster than the rest of the global economy. Tourism accounts for 9% of world's total emissions, with annual increases expected to double in carbon footprint every 20 years.
A new study reveals that US adults who choose not to eat red meat are more concerned with environmental impacts than health risks. The survey of over 7,500 adults found that demographics such as age, education level, and income also played a role in red meat consumption.
A team led by Eric Stach at Penn Engineering has developed a new approach to visualize and understand molecular catalysts on semiconductor surfaces. By combining atomic-resolution imaging with machine learning analysis, they created detailed maps of the distribution and behavior of these microscopic structures.
Researchers found that streams near farms are a significant source of nitrous oxide emissions, with some areas emitting up to half of the total emissions in the region. The study suggests that targeting mitigation efforts on streams and rivers connected to agricultural soils can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A study reveals that soil emissions account for at least a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions in California's Salton Sea air basin, with annual total emissions reaching 11 tons per day. The findings highlight the need to better understand and account for agricultural soils' emissions to improve air quality in rural areas.
A new study suggests that coral heat tolerance adaptation via natural selection may be insufficient to overcome the impacts of ocean warming, unless Paris Agreement commitments are realized.
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a catalyst that can convert two polluting greenhouse gases into valuable building blocks for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The catalyst, made of zeolite material, is resistant to degradation at high temperatures and has been shown to provide outstanding performance with extremely slow deactivation.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers finds that nearly half of soybean-related emissions come from the natural processes in soil, which can be mitigated through strategies like planting winter cover crops and adjusting planting schedules. These solutions have been found to reduce emissions by one-third while increasing yields.
Researchers have found that blocking the protein StCDF1 in potatoes can improve plant performance in low-nitrogen environments. This could be a promising strategy for reducing potato needs of nitrogen fertilizers.