Greenhouse Gases In Atmosphere Research Articles

New Record Ocean Temperatures and Related Climate Indicators in 2023

The global physical and biogeochemical environment has been substantially altered in response to increased atmospheric greenhouse gases from human activities. In 2023, the sea surface temperature (SST) and upper 2000 m ocean heat content (OHC) reached record highs. The 0–2000 m OHC in 2023 exceeded that of 2022 by 15 ± 10 ZJ (1 Zetta Joules = 1021 Joules) (updated IAP/CAS data); 9 ± 5 ZJ (NCEI/NOAA data). The Tropical Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and southern oceans recorded their highest OHC observed since the 1950s. Associated with the onset of a strong El Niño, the global SST reached its record high in 2023 with an annual mean of ∼0.23°C higher than 2022 and an astounding > 0.3°C above 2022 values for the second half of 2023. The density stratification and spatial temperature inhomogeneity indexes reached their highest values in 2023.

Extreme drought alters methane uptake but not methane sink in semi-arid steppes of Inner Mongolia

Global climate change, particularly drought, is expected to alter grassland methane (CH4) oxidation, a key natural process against atmospheric greenhouse gas accumulation, yet the extent of this effect and its interaction with future atmospheric CH4 concentrations increases remains uncertain. To address this research gap, we measured CH4 flux during an imposed three-month rain-free period corresponding to a 100-year recurrence drought in soil mesocosms collected from 16 different Eurasian steppe sites. We also investigated the abundance and composition of methanotrophs. Additionally, we conducted a laboratory experiment to explore the impact of elevated CH4 concentration on the CH4 uptake capacity of grassland soil under drought conditions. We found that regardless of the type of grassland, CH4 flux was still being absorbed at its peak, meaning that all grasslands functioned as persistent CH4 sinks even when the soil water content (SWC) was <5 %. A bell-shaped relationship between SWC and CH4 uptake was observed in the soils. The average maximum CH4 oxidation rate in the meadow steppe was higher than that in the typical and desert steppe soils during extreme drought. The experimental elevation of atmospheric CH4 concentration counteracted the anticipated reduction in CH4 uptake related to physiological water stress on methanotrophic soil microbes under the drought stress. On the contrary, we found that across the regional scale, nitrogen, phosphorous, and total soil organic content played a crucial role in moderating the duration and magnitude of CH4 uptake with respect to SWC. USC-γ (Upland Soil Cluster γ) and JR-3 (Jasper Ridge Cluster) were the dominant group of soil methanotrophic bacteria in three types of grassland. However, the methanotrophic abundance, rather than the methanotrophic community composition, was the dominant microbiological factor governing CH4 uptake during the drought.

Advancements in greenhouse gas emission reduction methodology for fluorinated compounds and N2O in the semiconductor industry via abatement systems

Greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly fluorinated compounds (FCs), nitrous oxide (N2O), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), contribute significantly to climate change, and the semiconductor industry is a notable emitter of these gases. This report introduces an innovative methodology for GHG emission reduction in the semiconductor industry by utilizing advanced abatement systems, referencing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) published methods AM0078 and AM0111. The proposed methodology shows promising potential, with substantial reductions in FCs, N2O, and NF3 emissions, positioning the semiconductor industry as a key player in climate change mitigation efforts. The main results indicate that by applying the latest abatement systems, a significant reduction in the targeted GHGs can be achieved. The methodology’s verification process confirms the effectiveness of GHG reduction, ensuring that semiconductor manufacturing’s environmental impact is minimized. Our findings suggest that the implementation of this methodology could lead to industry-wide adoption, resulting in a substantial contribution towards stabilizing atmospheric GHG concentrations.

Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Measures at Thammasat University's Lampang Campus in Thailand.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the primary drivers of global climate change. Human activities, particularly those related to energy production, transportation, and industry, have long contributed to the escalating levels of GHGs in the Earth's atmosphere. Recognizing the significance of this issue, universities, including Thammasat University, play a vital role in Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions research and education, carrying a responsibility to address the matter. This study is aimed aims to assess the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation measures at Thammasat University (Lampang campus), Thailand. The emissions are categorized into 3 types: (1) direct GHG emissions; (2) energy-related indirect GHG emissions; and (3) other indirect GHG emissions. Activity data from the years 2019 to 2022 was used for the calculations, resulting in GHG emissions of 1051.70, 778.28, 558.64, and 1034.531 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Among these emissions, energy-related indirect GHG emissions from electricity purchases represent the majority, accounting for approximately 78.55% of the total emissions. Consequently, implementing mitigation strategies, such as solar panel installations and solid waste reduction (combined scenario), has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by up to 57.78%. Furthermore, the university should actively promote GHG emissions reduction through the enactment of energy-saving policies and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies to reduce reliance on energy purchases.

Analysis of vehicle specific power and road grade in a high-altitude city

Vehicles are a major source of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases. Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing is used to study the real-world effects of parameters that are not considered in laboratory testing but that can influence fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. This paper analyzes the vehicle specific power (VSP) and the effects of positive and negative road slopes on the fuel consumption of a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The vehicle was tested on a route at an altitude of 2750 meters in Riobamba, Ecuador. The circuit design included urban, rural, and highway driving that met the requirements of European Union (EU) Regulation 2018/1832. Low-cost devices were used to record data from the road tests to determine fuel consumption as a function of road slope. VSP+ analysis revealed that there is a good correlation with fuel consumption, with an R2 of 0.86. For road slopes of -6% to +6%, the percentage variation in fuel consumption is linearly correlated (R2 = 0.85) with the slope variations.

A Synthesis of Global Coastal Ocean Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

AbstractThe coastal ocean contributes to regulating atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations by taking up carbon dioxide (CO2) and releasing nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). In this second phase of the Regional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes (RECCAP2), we quantify global coastal ocean fluxes of CO2, N2O and CH4 using an ensemble of global gap‐filled observation‐based products and ocean biogeochemical models. The global coastal ocean is a net sink of CO2 in both observational products and models, but the magnitude of the median net global coastal uptake is ∼60% larger in models (−0.72 vs. −0.44 PgC year−1, 1998–2018, coastal ocean extending to 300 km offshore or 1,000 m isobath with area of 77 million km2). We attribute most of this model‐product difference to the seasonality in sea surface CO2 partial pressure at mid‐ and high‐latitudes, where models simulate stronger winter CO2 uptake. The coastal ocean CO2 sink has increased in the past decades but the available time‐resolving observation‐based products and models show large discrepancies in the magnitude of this increase. The global coastal ocean is a major source of N2O (+0.70 PgCO2‐e year−1 in observational product and +0.54 PgCO2‐e year−1 in model median) and CH4 (+0.21 PgCO2‐e year−1 in observational product), which offsets a substantial proportion of the coastal CO2 uptake in the net radiative balance (30%–60% in CO2‐equivalents), highlighting the importance of considering the three greenhouse gases when examining the influence of the coastal ocean on climate.

A Preliminary Methane Emission Study of Typical Coalbed Methane Production Areas Based on Multi-satellites Remote Sensing Data

The monitoring of methane emission is helpful for reducing the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases. A preliminary methane emission study of typical coalbed methane production areas based on multi-satellites remote sensing data was proposed. Methane monitoring for typical coalbed methane production areas in Shanxi Province, methane anomaly analysis, associated gas flaring identification as well as emission estimation were carried out, using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) CH4 data, Sentinel-2 false color images and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) active fire data. The research showed that typical coalbed methane production areas in Shanxi Province were featured with high CH4 concentration in the southeast and low concentration in the northwest. The maximum methane anomaly of about 80 ppb was discovered and the emission rate was estimated to be approximately 20 t/h-23 t/h for the identified associated gas flaring location. The estimation was consistent with the results from PRISMA data for the Shanxi coal mining region. The research demonstrated the capability of satellite observation to support the coalbed methane production emission source identification from space and indicated the method provided was favorable for methane anomaly analysis, emission identification as well as emission rate estimation for coalbed methane production areas.

Sea Grant at the Blue Carbon Frontier: Integrating Law, Science, Community Values, and Economics

Blue carbon resources (coastal and marine habitats that transform and sequester atmospheric greenhouse gases) are essential for climate change mitigation while providing additive ecosystem services. The accelerating interest of businesses in blue carbon offsets has unveiled a new and potentially significant mechanism for financing coastal restoration and other projects. This highly interdisciplinary field is rapidly advancing, yet researchers, resource managers, investors, regulators, and decision-​makers need to understand the limitations, uncertainties, and potential for public-​private investments in blue carbon systems. We provide an overview of the coastal blue carbon landscape, including the state of scientific understanding of blue carbon resources, the emergence and significance of blue carbon markets, state and federal policy needs and trends, and necessary steps for continued development. This article is informed by the proceedings of the 2023 Blue Carbon Law Symposium (Athens, Georgia), which gathered researchers, legal scholars, business leaders, community stakeholders, policymakers, and others to discuss this emerging field with a focus on law and policy connections and needs.

Investigating the Influence of Inlet Relative Humidity on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Performance by Visualizing 4-D Water Distributions in Gas Diffusion Layers

The catastrophic effects of atmospheric greenhouse gases and the depletion of non-renewable resources has led to the urgency to develop clean, sustainable energy technologies to meet increasing energy demands. However, the intermittent nature of current renewable energy technologies warrants the acquisition of on-demand renewable energy through either energy production or storage methods. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising candidates for this task, as they utilize the most abundant element on Earth, hydrogen, to produce high amounts of power under rapid changes in load with little to no greenhouse gas emissions (1). Therefore, PEMFCs have great potential to help offset the negative impact of atmospheric pollution due to excessive carbon emissions. However, liquid water management issues associated with high power output of the fuel cell typically leads to reduced performance and durability of the fuel cell, and thereby hinders global implementation of these devices (2). To minimize these losses and improve GDL material designs, an understanding of the relationship between product liquid water distributions in the cathode GDL and transport properties of PEMFCs under varying operating conditions is highly valuable. Previous works have characterized the effect of operating temperature on liquid water pathways and distributions in GDLs by visualizing operando PEMFCs with 3D imaging techniques such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) (3). The high-speed, high-resolution capabilities of these imaging techniques enable the visualization of dynamic pore-scale activity to elucidate transport mechanisms in the GDL.In this work, the effect of inlet relative humidity on the formation and distribution of liquid water pathways in cathode GDLs is investigated by imaging a PEMFC operando with synchrotron X-ray CT at high spatial resolution, enabling the resolution of water in the individual pores of the GDL. The contribution of a microporous layer (MPL) is also explored by imaging a cell with an MPL and without. Imaging is conducted on a specialized cell designed to facilitate continuous rotation about the CT stage, enabling fast acquisition of consecutive scans to achieve high temporal resolution useful for visualizing the dynamic development of preferential water pathways. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed to quantify mass transport losses. The sequence of CT images was utilized to capture the dynamics of liquid water development as well as stabilized water distributions. Visualizing the reconstructed images shows that as current increases, water production increases, and the development of water pathways to breakthrough at the flow field interface is observed. Additionally, results show that an increase in relative humidity led to a significant increase in cathode GDL water saturation.The contribution of this study to understanding transport mechanisms in GDL materials is significant to the characterization and optimal design of materials for improved PEMFC performance. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of PEMFCs as a sustainable, reliable solution to replace conventional carbon-emitting energy sources.1. Alaswad et al., J. Hydrog. Energy, 41, (2016)2. Nagai et al., J. Power Sources, 435, (2019)3. D. Shum et al., Electrochem. Acta, 256, (2017)

A Gradient-Descent Optimization of CO2-CO-NOx Emissions over the Paris Megacity─The Case of the First SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown.

Urban greenhouse gas emissions monitoring is essential to assessing the impact of climate mitigation actions. Using atmospheric continuous measurements of air quality and carbon dioxide (CO2), we developed a gradient-descent optimization system to estimate emissions of the city of Paris. We evaluated our joint CO2-CO-NOx optimization over the first SARS-CoV-2 related lockdown period, resulting in a decrease in emissions by 40% for NOx and 30% for CO2, in agreement with preliminary estimates using bottom-up activity data yet lower than the decrease estimates from Bayesian atmospheric inversions (50%). Before evaluating the model, we first provide an in-depth analysis of three emission data sets. A general agreement in the totals is observed over the region surrounding Paris (known as Île-de-France) since all the data sets are constrained by the reported national and regional totals. However, the data sets show disagreements in their sector distributions as well as in the interspecies ratios. The seasonality also shows disagreements among emission products related to nonindustrial stationary combustion (residential and tertiary combustion). The results presented in this paper show that a multispecies approach has the potential to provide sectoral information to monitor CO2 emissions over urban areas enabled by the deployment of collocated atmospheric greenhouse gases and air quality monitoring stations.

An Agrigenomics Trifecta: Greenhouse Gas Drawdown, Food Security, and New Drugs.

An abundance of data, including decades of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission rates, atmospheric concentrations, and global average temperatures, is sufficient to allow a strictly empirical evaluation of the U.S. plan for controlling GHGs. This article presents an analysis, based solely on such data, that shows that the difference between atmospheric GHG levels that will be reached if current trends continue, and levels that would be achieved if the goals of the plan are met-even with worldwide implementation-is inconsequential. Further, the expected globally averaged temperature differences are well within measurement error. The results lend additional support to the argument that any mitigation strategy must include drawdown of atmospheric GHGs. Equally important, a particular drawdown strategy, agrigenomics, offers the opportunity for a revolutionary trifecta: climate change mitigation, food security, and medical advances.

Identification of spikes in continuous ground-based in situ time series of CO2, CH4 and CO: an extended experiment within the European ICOS Atmosphere network

Abstract. The identification of spikes (i.e., short and high variability in the measured signals due to very local emissions occurring in the proximity of a measurement site) is of interest when using continuous measurements of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) in different applications like the determination of long-term trends and/or spatial gradients, inversion experiments devoted to the top-down quantification of GHG surface–atmosphere fluxes, the characterization of local emissions, or the quality control of GHG measurements. In this work, we analyzed the results provided by two automatic spike identification methods (i.e., the standard deviation of the background (SD) and the robust extraction of baseline signal (REBS)) for a 2-year dataset of 1 min in situ observations of CO2, CH4 and CO at 10 different atmospheric sites spanning different environmental conditions (remote, continental, urban). The sensitivity of the spike detection frequency and its impact on the averaged mole fractions on method parameters was investigated. Results for both methods were compared and evaluated against manual identification by the site principal investigators (PIs). The study showed that, for CO2 and CH4, REBS identified a larger number of spikes than SD and it was less “site-sensitive” than SD. This led to a larger impact of REBS on the time-averaged values of the observed mole fractions for CO2 and CH4. Further, it could be shown that it is challenging to identify one common algorithm/configuration for all the considered sites: method-dependent and setting-dependent differences in the spike detection were observed as a function of the sites, case studies and considered atmospheric species. Neither SD nor REBS appeared to provide a perfect identification of the spike events. The REBS tendency to over-detect the spike occurrence shows limitations when adopting REBS as an operational method to perform automatic spike detection. REBS should be used only for specific sites, mostly affected by frequent very nearby local emissions. SD appeared to be more selective in identifying spike events, and the temporal variabilities in CO2, CH4 and CO were more consistent with those of the original datasets. Further activities are needed for better consolidating the fitness for purpose of the two proposed methods and to compare them with other spike detection techniques.

An Explainable Evaluation Model for Building Thermal Comfort in China

The concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases is being amplified by human activity. Building energy consumption, particularly for heating and cooling purposes, constitutes a significant proportion of overall energy demand. This research aims to establish a smart evaluation model to understand the thermal requirements of building occupants based on an open-access dataset. This model is beneficial for making reasonable adjustments to building thermal management, based on factors such as different regions and building user characteristics. Employing Bayesian-optimized LightGBM and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) methods, an explainable machine learning model was developed to evaluate the thermal comfort design of buildings in different areas and with different purpose. Our developed LightGBM model exhibited superior evaluation performance on the test set, outperforming other machine learning models, such as XGBoost and SVR (Support Vector Regression). The SHAP method further helps us to understand the interior evaluation mechanism of the model and the interactive effect among input features. An accurate thermal comfort design for buildings based on the evaluation model can benefit the carbon-neutral strategy.

Balance™ methodology – converting carbon finance to biodiversity creation

ABSTRACT This paper addresses two interlinked problems in sustainable development and suggests a methodology to resolve them. The first is the reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. The second is the maintenance of biodiversity. Current carbon financing and environmental stewardship mechanisms underwhelm, often diluting intended positive effects. Most existing carbon credits do not have protection after 40 years, placing projects substantially beneath the C02 radiative forcing cycle. This paper presents the ‘Balance’ approach to sustainable development, including contractual principles ensuring C02 reduction, biodiversity enhancement and financial accountability. We describe two novel measures: a carbon calculator for commercial entities, and a new metric, the Balance Unit, combining biodiversity creation with carbon credits. A case study, spanning over 20 years at the Forest of Marston Vale, is then presented. It finds an increase in tree cover, CO2 sequestration, reduction in agricultural GHG emissions, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter absorption, and annual local economic benefits totalling £UK12.83 million. Expository detail regarding the ‘Planting Principles’ practised at Marston Vale is also provided. We argue that the Balance methodology, especially the Balance Unit, enables greater measurement reliability and long-term efficacy for maintaining biodiversity and reducing GHG emissions than current carbon financing approaches.

Missing methane emissions from urban sewer networks

Methane emissions from sewer networks are an important source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) but are not currently reflected in the national GHG inventory. We found significant CH4 emissions of approximately 573 [395–831] CH4 t y−1 from sewer networks in the old residential and commercial areas of Seoul (Gwanak district) using an electric vehicle-based atmospheric GHG monitoring platform. The majority of ethane-to-methane ratios (<0.005) from the observations further suggest that distinctive CH4 emissions from sewer networks are likely related to microbial activity rather than to simple natural gas leakage. Because over 90% of the sewer network in Seoul is a gravity drain type of combined sewer network, where both wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipes, resulting in the generation of methane emissions from the microbial activity and the manholes and rain gutters, which are directly connected to the combined sewer networks are major sources of atmospheric methane emissions. This study suggests that appropriate treatment of sewer networks can mitigate missing methane emissions in cities that were not originally included in GHG inventory of South Korea.

Yükseköğretim Kurumlarında Karbon Ayak İzinin Belirlenmesi: Iğdır Üniversitesi Örneği

University campuses are centers of living where all kinds of sociocultural activities take place and where students spend most of their time throughout their education life. As a result of these activities, it is inevitable that atmospheric greenhouse gas levels in campuses will increase. One of the most common approaches for determining greenhouse gas emissions is the "carbon footprint". Carbon footprint is an indirect representation of the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an organization or individual. This article deals with the calculation stages of the carbon footprint resulting from the activities of Iğdır University Şehit Bülent Yurtseven campus and suggestions for reducing it. The calculations include various activities of the campus, and they contain generally accepted emission scopes. DEFRA guidance was used in the carbon footprint calculation of the campus and the base year for the calculation was 2022. The carbon footprint of Iğdır University in 2022 was calculated as 3679.66 tCO2e/year and 1.27x10-3 tCO2e/m2 on annual and area basis, respectively. These emissions are caused by factors such as natural gas consumption, electricity consumption, transport, water consumption and waste amount. The largest emission source is natural gas consumption (37%), followed by emissions from minibus transportation (31%). In conclusion, universities have an important role to play in identifying innovative approaches to measuring, controlling, and reducing carbon footprints by bringing together people with different skills and experience, advanced research facilities and resources. This article is thought to contribute to the literature in determining the process of preparing a university's greenhouse gas inventory, the possibilities of the university to achieve carbon neutrality and emission reduction strategies through the example of Iğdır University.

Long-term variability of the western tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature driven by greenhouse gases and AMOC

The long-term orbital-scale sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the tropics is thought to be mainly driven by greenhouse gases (GHG) forcing. However, few studies have investigated the drivers of such variability in the tropical Atlantic. Given the evidence of orbital-scale changes in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength, one can hypothesize that AMOC variability also modulates the long-term tropical Atlantic SST through the bipolar seesaw mechanism. According to this mechanism, under weak [strong] AMOC conditions, the Southern Hemisphere is expected to warm up [cool down], while the Northern Hemisphere cools down [warms up]. Here, we investigate the long-term SST variability of the western tropical South Atlantic (WTSA), i.e., along the main pathway of the upper AMOC branch towards the equator, using a new 300 thousand years (kyr)-long Mg/Ca-based SST record. Our SST record shows glacial-interglacial variability superimposed by four remarkable long-term warm events during the three recorded glacial periods. These glacial warm events occurred between ca. 280–260, 160–143, 75–60, and 40–24 ka before present. Our results support the notion that atmospheric GHG plays a leading role in modulating the glacial-interglacial SST variability in the WTSA. However, it does not explain the occurrence of glacial warm events. Our study supports that the glacial warm events were caused by an orbital-scale bipolar seesaw mechanism operating in the Atlantic due to changes in the AMOC strength. These warm events may have been amplified by annual mean insolation driven by obliquity. Finally, we suggest that the long-term bipolar seesaw warmed the western tropical (South) Atlantic during the MIS 5/4 transition when the Earth's climate was cooling off.

Global terrestrial monsoon area variations since Last Glacial Maximum based on TraCE21ka and PMIP4-CMIP6 simulations

Global monsoon over land (GM_L) have significant variations in their dominated area (GMA_L). The quantitative assessment of changes in GMA_L is essential for understanding spatial environment impacts and the underlying driving mechanism of GM_L evolution. Simulation results of a suite of transient climate evolution simulation over the last 21,000 years (TraCE21ka) and five-model ensemble outputs of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project in their latest phase (fourth, PMIP4-CMIP6) are analyzed to study the changes in global, hemispheric and six sub-monsoon areas over the past 21 ka over land. Both datasets can reproduce large-scale characteristics of GMA_L variability, although there are differences in the magnitudes of their changes. Compared to 0 ka, TraCE21ka simulations reveal that GMA_L reduced by about 4.89 × 106 km2 (decreased by 10.89%) during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 21–18 ka), and reached a maximum of 46.61 × 106 km2 (increased by 3.83%) during the middle Holocene (MH, 9–6 ka). In comparison, the results of PMIP4-CMIP6 yield a smaller change of GMA_L during the LGM (decreased by 3.72%) and a larger magnitude of GMA_L during the MH (increased by 4.73%). The analysis of GMA_L over the past 21 ka reveals the varying influences of external forcing, with insolation playing a dominant role. Rising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations (GHG) and ice sheet melting have induced a stepwise expansion in GMA_L during the last deglaciation, superimposed with several abrupt millennial-scale weakened monsoon events under meltwater fluxes (MWF) forcing. After that, insolation caused a gradually declining trend in GMA_L during the Holocene. The position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) under orbital forcing, leading to an anti-phase reaction between Northern Hemisphere monsoon areas (NHMA_L) and Southern Hemisphere monsoon areas (SHMA_L), particularly after 9 ka. Among the six sub-monsoons, they show diverse variations and regional characteristics under different forcings. Although regional monsoons like Indonesia-Australia monsoon (IAM) exhibit nonlinear behavior due to internal variabilities, the overall response of global monsoons to external forcing is predominantly linear. In addition, changes in the hydrological processes can indicate the formation and expansion of monsoon domains. Moisture budget shows that thermodynamic effect has always dominated monsoon hydrological cycles over the past 21 ka. The differences in regional monsoon hydrological processes arise from the dynamic effect. Moreover, δ18O records have been used to test these numerical simulation results. Which, together with diverse thermodynamic and dynamic component configurations of terrestrial paleo-monsoon variations, would help to better understand the underlying mechanism of global monsoon and its influences in the future.

Linking Arctic stratospheric polar vortex weakening to rising CO2-induced intensification of the Indo-Pacific warm pool during the past five decades

Accompanying the global rise in greenhouse gas emissions, a warming trend in the Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) has exerted a discernible influence on tropical atmosphere–ocean interactions. However, the impact of this intensification of the IPWP on the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex (ASPV) remains unclear. In this study, we revealed a link between the changes in the IPWP and ASPV during the early winter months, with nearly half of the weakening in the ASPV attributable to the intensification of the IPWP from 1968 to 2020. Wave trains triggered by the elevated SST in the IPWP region lead to enhanced eastward-propagating flux convergence in the northern high-latitude stratosphere, ultimately resulting in a diminishing ASPV. With increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas, the ASPV is poised to further weaken in the future, particularly in the context of a more intense IPWP. Our finding has significant implications for early winter ASPV strength and location prediction and seasonal weather forecasting.

Maximizing photovoltaic potential and minimizing costs in a future warmer climate: The role of atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions

Climate change in the upcoming decades will affect solar resources and impact photovoltaic (PV) energy generation, which is key for the global energy transition. The climate-change associated costs for future solar plants need to be assessed, considering different climate futures and PV technologies. Here we show PV power potential increases up to 6% (12% at the end of century) in Europe, eastern America, and south Asia, while reductions predominate in the rest of the world. While temperature and radiation changes dominate the PV changes, atmospheric aerosols also play an important role in future PV production, which has not been thoroughly evaluated before. In future high-emission scenarios, the best outcomes are achieved with thin-film modules that are more resilient to a warmer climate, highlighting the importance of improving thermal management in market-dominant silicon solar cells. In a future low-emissions scenario, the climate impacts on PV and the associated costs are the lowest, potentially saving up to 12 billion US$/year.