Articles tagged with Greenhouse Gases
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.
The University of Kansas and Avium will develop new catalysts and technologies to improve the efficiency and reliability of green hydrogen production. The goal is to make clean hydrogen more affordable and support the transition to a clean-energy future.
The Lancet's Countdown report reveals record-breaking human costs of climate change, including heat-related deaths increasing by 167% globally in 2023. The report calls for trillions of dollars spent on fossil fuels to be redirected towards protecting people's health and lives.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano discovered that the ratio of CO2 to methane present in the reaction determines carbon build-up on catalysts. This finding paves the way for more efficient technologies and longer-lasting catalysts.
The school will focus on methods to address structural safety and infrastructure resilience challenges in a climate change context. Key findings include the importance of increasing infrastructure resilience to reduce social wellbeing impacts.
The Pantanal's soda lakes, characterized by high pH and salinity, have practically dried up due to rising temperatures and wildfires. The study found that certain types of lakes, such as eutrophic turbid lakes, emit methane due to cyanobacterial blooms and decomposing organic matter.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment will receive funding to improve mitigation estimates for agricultural management practices. The funding will support the work of researchers in advancing the understanding of conservation practices on greenhouse gas fluxes.
A recent study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation highlights the urgent need for Brazil to reinforce protection of its forests to achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The research emphasizes the importance of strengthening socioenvironmental actions and policies focusing on conserving or restoring f...
Researchers estimate that silage from maize, alfalfa, and sorghum crops can produce substantial amounts of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Chlorate addition may significantly lower N2O emissions, primarily due to denitrifying bacteria.
New research on genetically modified crops reveals potential environmental impacts, including increased pesticide use, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the need for further research to support sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers create interlocking glass bricks that can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks, aiming to reduce embodied carbon in construction. The 3D-printed bricks are designed to be reused and repurposed, promoting a circular construction method.
A new study identifies multiple technologies to cost-effectively decarbonize the energy system, prioritizing their adoption and transition. The findings suggest a range of options to achieve near-cost-optimal futures, emphasizing research and development investments.
The McGill team's light-driven chemical process transforms methane and carbon dioxide into green methanol and carbon monoxide, producing highly valued products. The discovery offers a promising path towards Canada's net-zero emissions target by 2050 and provides a sustainable way to produce industrial products.
A new study suggests that urban heating and cooling systems will significantly impact future energy demand due to climate change, with smaller-scale city-level waste heat contributing to local microclimates. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive climate impact assessment and science-based policymaking to address this issue.
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 at Ohio State University found that US droughts in the Southwest and rainy extremes in the Northeast are becoming more frequent and severe. The study predicts bigger swings between wetter and drier periods in the mid-United States, straining water management efforts.
Notre Dame researchers have created a new tool to analyze embodied carbon in over 1 million buildings in Chicago, providing policymakers with actionable data to inform urban development decisions. The study found that extending the lifespan of buildings and reducing their size can decrease carbon emissions by two-thirds.
A study published in JAMA found that inhaler prescriptions filled by Medicare beneficiaries in 2022 resulted in approximately 1.15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Metered-dose inhalers, particularly those using short-acting β-agonist medications, accounted for nearly all inhaler-related emissions.
Scientists at the University of São Paulo found that converting degraded land to climate-smart agricultural practices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil. The study highlights the need for more data and research opportunities to support the development of carbon markets and green finance mechanisms.
A pioneering study found that factories globally are not properly destroying emissions of a super-greenhouse gas emitted from the production of fluoropolymers like Teflon and refrigerants. The researchers used a novel technique to measure actual emissions, revealing a discrepancy between reported and real levels.
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.
Researchers discovered that the iron nitrogenase can convert CO2 into methane and formic acid, making it a promising starting point for developing novel CO2 reductases. The enzyme's low selectivity for CO2 also suggests its potential for widespread use in nature.
The study finds that agricultural expansion could lead to a 26% decline in biodiversity and emit almost half of current annual global CO2 emissions. Conservation policies can also have economic benefits, with minimal impact on GDP and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that adopting plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food supply chains by 17%, saving 32.4% of global dietary emissions. This would balance the increase in emissions from under-consumed populations moving towards healthier diets.
New nutrition strategies could slash methane emissions from dairy cows by a staggering 60%, according to a Journal of Dairy Science review. Diet reformulation, using feed additives like seaweed and 3-NOP, may be key to achieving this goal.
A new international study underscores the need to integrate technological advancements with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies. The research found that inadequate institutional capacity could hinder reaching even 2°C targets, while improved global institutional support could enhance the likelihood o...
A new study catalogs greenhouse gas emissions tied to energy use for interbasin water transfers, with a significant portion attributed to agriculture. The research found that irrigation-related emissions are substantial in certain locations, particularly those with high concentrations of agricultural land.
A new study published by Texas A&M University researchers found that the Hunga Tonga volcano eruption did not contribute to global warming as initially thought. Instead, the eruption resulted in more energy leaving the climate system than entering it, leading to a slight cooling effect.
A new study confirms that human-induced climate change is making rainfall patterns more volatile globally, with increased variability observed since the 1900s in 75% of land areas studied. The researchers found daily rainfall variability to have increased by 1.2% per decade.
A new study provides detailed estimates of land use change emissions for six sustainable aviation fuel production pathways, highlighting the importance of crop location and management. The results show that jatropha and miscanthus have lower DLUC emissions, while soybeans may not meet CORSIA's sustainability criteria.
Research shows that oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin contributes to high eight-hour ozone concentrations frequently exceeding EPA health standards during summer months. The study uses data from a 2019 field survey to confirm the impact of drilling, flaring, and other activities on ozone levels.
A novel genus, Candidatus Alkanivoras nitrosoreducens, is described as potentially performing nitrite-driven anaerobic ethane oxidation. The study reveals a prospective fumarate addition pathway for anaerobic ethane oxidation and a complete denitrification pathway for nitrite reduction.
A new study by Stanford University and Arizona State University recommends California implement early vehicle retirement for heavy-duty vehicles. The policy aims to reduce cumulative emissions by two-thirds and pollution-related mortality, particularly among disadvantaged communities. This approach would be more effective than relying ...
Researchers from UNIGE have measured the increase in soil erosion caused by global warming, with a four-fold increase observed in sediments from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. This study suggests that current warming could lead to similar effects, increasing flood risks and threatening populated areas.
A new device developed by University of Tokyo researchers can measure carbon dioxide captured in concrete quickly and accurately, skipping the need to crush concrete samples. This innovation aims to support global efforts to reach carbon neutrality and offset emissions from the concrete sector.
A new study suggests that human activities may actually reduce the severity of droughts in certain regions. Climate model simulations indicate that aerosols and greenhouse gases produced by human activities have opposite effects on atmospheric chemical composition and precipitation mechanisms. This research challenges previous conclusi...
A study found that people in affluent areas in New Zealand were contributing more than their fair share of greenhouse gas emissions from transport. They drove further and owned more cars, leading to higher emissions per week.
Human-caused nitrous oxide emissions accelerated globally, reaching a record high in 2022, with the agricultural sector accounting for 74% of emissions. The use of chemical fertilizers and animal manure is particularly significant contributors to this growth.
The study reveals a significant decline in hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. HCFC emissions peaked in 2021 and have been decreasing since, with the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) measuring a drop of less than 1% between 2021 and 2023.
A new study reveals significant declines in atmospheric levels of potent ozone-depleting substances and harmful greenhouse gases, confirming the success of the Montreal Protocol. The findings show a notable reduction in HCFCs, which are also contributing to global warming.
Scientists developed a miniaturized micro-spectrometer to detect multiple toxic and greenhouse gases, offering increased control over individual exposure. The technology uses machine learning and metasurface spectral filter arrays to create a compact sensor that can be integrated into wearable devices.
Researchers use nanomedicine and digital twin technologies to develop Plant Nanobiotechnology, addressing agricultural challenges and increasing crop yield. Digital twins of plants enable the design of nanocarriers that target nutrient delivery to specific plant organs.
Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that telehealth can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with cancer care. By analyzing data from a regional cancer center, the team calculated that nationwide, cancer care utilizing telehealth and local care would generate 33.1% less greenhouse gas emiss...
A cohort study found that decentralization through telemedicine and local care can substantially reduce cancer care's environmental impact. The study also showed small reductions in human mortality as a result of these changes.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a highly effective and nontoxic way to kill western drywood termites using a pleasant-smelling chemical called pinene. The method involves releasing the scent of pinene, which attracts termites and guides them to a spot where insecticide is injected into wood.
Researchers found that extending treatments to every six weeks instead of every three weeks would require 15,000 fewer infusions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200 tons per year. This change could improve patient quality of life and result in cost savings for the healthcare system.
Scientists have found that microorganisms in the Arctic permafrost can break down polyphenols, previously thought to be untouchable, producing more greenhouse gas emissions. This new discovery has implications for understanding the role of soil microbes in climate change.
A new study reveals that switching to environmentally friendly food alternatives can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from household groceries. The analysis found that making like-for-like product swaps within sub-categories of foods could lead to emission reductions of up to 26% or 71%.
Researchers developed a novel reactor design that efficiently converts CO2 emissions from small boilers into methane fuel. The design features a distributed feed and optimal gas mixture composition, resulting in improved temperature control and increased methane production.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Cerrado biome in Brazil is experiencing its worst drought in at least 700 years, caused by global warming. The research used chemical analysis of stalagmites to extend the perception of drought back seven centuries and linked it to disruption in the hydrological cycle.
A metal-free organic framework catalyst has been developed for the electrocatalytic production of ethylene from carbon dioxide. The catalyst, based on a nitrogen-containing covalent organic framework (COF), demonstrated high selectivity and performance for the production of ethylene.
Replacing diesel school buses with electric ones can yield up to $247,600 in climate and health benefits per individual bus, according to a new study. The benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower rates of adult mortality and childhood asthma.
A new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand found that wind farms can offset their carbon emissions within two years. The research used data from a Harapaki onshore wind farm in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, and found that the turbine can generate all the energy consumed across its life-cycle within six months.
A new study published in Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability found that lifespan caps for passenger vehicles have limited effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research also suggests that life span caps could amplify negative effects of EVs, including increased material use and ecotoxicity.
Geographers found the 2023 summer was 2.07°C warmer than pre-industrial temperatures from 1850 to 1900, and 2.20°C warmer than temperatures since year 1 CE. This suggests global warming is more advanced than thought, requiring revised climate targets.
A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.
A new food systems perspective study from the University of Washington shows that pork meat is a high-quality protein source, affordable, and associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the importance of separating pork from other red meats in nutrition and epidemiology research.
A research team at Kyoto University has developed an AI method to automatically detect methane emissions globally, resolving trade-offs with existing detection methods. The system can identify small methane plumes, paving the way for systematic quantification of global warming.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.