Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Does wood bioenergy help or harm the climate?

ABSTRACT The EU, UK, US, and other nations consider wood to be a carbon neutral fuel, ignoring the carbon dioxide emitted from wood combustion in their greenhouse gas accounting. Many countries subsidize wood energy – often by burning wood pellets in place of coal for electric power – to meet their renewable energy targets. But can wood bioenergy help cut greenhouse emissions in time to limit the worst damage from climate change? The argument in favor seems obvious: wood, a renewable resource, must be better than burning fossil fuels. But wood emits more carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour than coal – and far more than other fossil fuels. Therefore, the first impact of wood bioenergy is to increase the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, worsening climate change. Forest regrowth might eventually remove that extra carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but regrowth is uncertain and takes time – decades to a century or more, depending on forest composition and climatic zone – time we do not have to cut emissions enough to avoid the worst harms from climate change. More effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions are already available and affordable now, allowing forests to continue to serve as carbon sinks and moderate climate change.

A novel intelligent transport system charging scheduling for electric vehicles using Grey Wolf Optimizer and Sail Fish Optimization algorithms

ABSTRACT Intelligent Transport System (ITS) intentions to attain traffic efficiency by diminishing traffic difficulties. It supplies information like traffic issues, real-time traveling information, parking availability, etc., in advance to the users who are connected with the smart cities that ensure travelers’ safety and comfort. This ITS technique should merge with Electric Vehicles (EVs) because nowadays, EVs have become familiar in the last decade owing to the requirement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels. However, traffic jams caused by EVs driven to the charging stations (CSs) can result in the complex charging scheduling of EVs. Therefore, an effective algorithm is developed for optimal charging scheduling using the proposed Grey Sail Fish Optimization (GSFO). The proposed charging scheduling algorithm integrates Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and Sail Fish Optimization (SFO). For each EV, the demand when charging is computed. The path used by the EV to travel to the charging station is determined by computing the path decision factor. In comparison to existing techniques, the proposed GSFO-based charging algorithm schedules EVs to charging stations based on the fitness function, and the performance was improved with a traffic density of 26.11 km, a distance of 0.0278 kW, and a power of 2.3377. To be more specific, the proposed GSFO improved when many vehicles were considered.

Participatory approaches enhance a sense of urgency and collective efficacy about climate change: Qualitative evidence from the world climate simulation

Despite clear scientific evidence to support an urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, societal action remains inadequate to meet international climate goals. New approaches in climate change communication are needed to motivate climate action. World Climate is an interactive, engaging, and socially rich role-play simulation that challenges participants to negotiate a climate agreement to limit warming to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. During the simulation, participants use a computer model, C-ROADS, to test their greenhouse gas emissions decisions and get immediate feedback on the resulting expected climate outcomes. In 2019, several programs that assist high school and college students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds implemented the World Climate simulation. In total, 39 participants who displayed the largest gains in their sense of urgency about climate change, measured through pre- and post-simulation surveys, were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview regarding their experience. Twelve individuals from four different simulation sessions were interviewed, and their responses were transcribed and categorized into codes. Results from this study show that interviewees attributed gains in their climate change risk perception to the simulation and also experienced gains in collective efficacy as a result. We constructed a causal loop diagram to visualize relationships between aspects of the simulation and gains in climate change beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors based on interview data. Insights from this qualitative study show that group deliberation guided by interaction with a model are important components to increasing urgency and climate action for the subset of the population interviewed.

Performance Analysis of a Geothermal Radiant Cooling System Supported by Dehumidification

Space cooling demand is increasing globally due to climate change. Cooling has also been linked to all 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Adequate cooling improves productivity and thermal comfort and can also prevent health risks. Meanwhile, policy initiatives such as the European Union’s Green Deal require participants to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy use. Therefore, novel cooling systems that are capable of efficiently producing high levels of thermal comfort are needed. Radiant cooling systems provide a design capable of fulfilling these goals, but their application in hot and humid climates is limited due to the risk of condensation. In this study, we compare the performances of radiant cooling systems with and without dehumidification. The studied systems are supplied by geothermal energy. The study is conducted using building energy models of a small office building belonging to a three-building school complex located in Sant Cugat near Barcelona in Spain. The studied location has a Mediterranean climate. The simulations are conducted using IDA Indoor Climate and Energy 4.8 simulation software. The results show that the radiant cooling system with dehumidification (RCD) produces considerably improved thermal comfort conditions, with maximum predicted mean vote (PMV) reached during the cooling season being 0.4 (neutral) and the maximum PMV reached by the radiant cooling system without dehumidification (RC) being 1.2 (slightly warm). However, the improved thermal comfort comes at the cost of reduced energy and exergy efficiency. The RCD system uses 2.2 times as much energy and 5.3 times as much exergy as the RC system. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to assess the influence of selected input parameters on the simulation output. The results suggest that maximising dehumidification temperature and minimising ventilation flow rate can improve the energy and exergy efficiency of the RCD system while having a minor effect on thermal comfort.

Laboratory Testing of Small Scale Solar Facade Module with Phase Change Material and Adjustable Insulation Layer

Active building envelopes that act as energy converters—gathering on-site available renewable energy and converting it to thermal energy or electricity—is a promising technological design niche to reduce energy consumption in the building sector, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and thus tackle climate change challenges. This research adds scientific knowledge in the field of composite building envelope structures containing phase-change materials for thermal energy storage. In this study, the focus lies on the cooling phase of the diurnal gain and release of solar energy. The experimental setup imitates day and night environment. Six alterations of small-scale solar facade modules are tested in two different configurations—with and without the adjustable insulation layer on their outer surface during the discharging phase. Modules explore combinations of aerogel, air gap, and Fresnel lenses for solar energy concentration. The results allow us to compare the impact of the application of an additional insulation layer at “night” for different designs of solar facade modules. The results show that modules with an air gap provide higher heat gains but do not take full advantage of the latent heat capacity of phase-change materials.

Renewable jet fuel supply chain network design: Application of direct monetary incentives

Currently, the global aviation industry uses around 341 billion liters of jet fuel per year, with demand predicted to grow by 50% by the end of 2050. Renewable jet fuel (RJF) may cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), increase fuel diversity for the aviation industry, and promote rural economies. The commercialization of RJF has been delayed due to a shortage of sustainable biomass resources. This study recommends using winter carinata crops as a reliable biomass feedstock in the southeastern US states, where the availability of resources will be investigated in each agricultural zone. RJF production is more expensive than traditional jet fuel production. Investors and legislators need to learn more about prospective federal financial initiatives, such as subsidies and grants, to help with RJF supply chain implementation. In this paper, using a mathematical programming approach, we designed an RJF supply chain and then investigated the effects of three direct monetary incentive programs, including producer credit program (PCP), biomass crop assistance program (BCAP), and biorefinery assistance program (BAP), to accelerate the commercialization of RJF manufacturing. According to the findings, the amount of incentives through PCP needed to fulfill 50% of the RJF demand was assessed to cover 16.70% of the total costs, while the BCAP could reach the commercialization threshold by receiving incentives for 22.84% of the biomass purchasing cost. Furthermore, having the BAP covering 89.39% of the annual capital and operating costs could help commercialize RJF production. This study also evaluated the effects of changes in renewable fuel prices, demand fulfillment rates, biomass yield rates, and the price of biomass feedstock and its resulting meal on the profitability of the supply chain. The study's findings will advise policymakers and investors on developing the RJF supply chain given various financial assistance programs and subsidies.

Economic growth and environmental pollution nexus in Bangladesh: revisiting the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis

ABSTRACT The paper reports a re-examination of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for Bangladesh; considering economic growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (such as CO2, CH4, and N2O). The autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) model and VAR-based innovative accounting approach (IAA) with the combination of Variance Decomposition and Impulse Response Function are used to check cointegration among the variables using data from 1976 to 2014. This approach is specifically employed for variance analysis in order to measure causal association and regressors’ shock to dependent variables. The EKC hypothesis is not supported because there is a positive association between economic growth and pollutants (CO2 and CH4 emissions) over time. However, the EKC is valid for N2O emissions. IAA causal analysis reveals a bilateral causative relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions, as well as a unilateral causal relationship between CH4 emissions and GDP. Trade liberalisation, urbanisation, and financial liberalisation do not necessarily improve or save the natural environment. Bangladesh needs to use renewable energies and cut GHG emissions by abandoning fossil fuels.

COP26 and Health: Some Progress, But Too Slow and Not Enough

The editorial on climate change and biodiversity published in over 220 health journals in September had two main demands: keep global temperature increases below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid catastrophic damage to health; and accept that this can be achieved only by rich countries making bigger cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and transferring substantial resources to the countries’ most vulnerable the effects of climate change.1 Neither demand was fully met at COP26 in Glasgow. The editorial was also aiming to make the voice of the health community more prominent in global discussions on climate change and environmental destruction. Some progress was made with this aim, but again not enough. Although the mantra of COP26 was “keep 1.5°C alive,” the pledges made by countries to reduce emissions are insufficient to keep the temperature rise to below 1.5°C. Before COP26, the United Nations estimated that current pledges will lead to an increase of 2.7°C, a level that would lead to devastating effects on health through extreme weather events, crop failure, water shortages, forced migration, conflict, and a rise in sea level that will mean the disappearance of some island countries.2 Even with the additional pledges made at COP26, temperatures are expected to rise well above 2°C.3 We must encourage countries to be bolder in cutting emissions, promoting adaptation, supporting vulnerable countries – and do more to hold them to account. We must also concentrate on implementation, particularly within health systems where we have most influence.

A sustainability-based model for robotic disassembly sequence planning in remanufacturing using the Bees Algorithm

Remanufacturing, as a way to achieve the circular economy paradigm, can help save the environment by reducing the use of raw materials and energy, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and virtually eliminating the need for landfill. Disassembly is a critical first step in the remanufacturing process. This research uses the Bees Algorithm to optimise robotic disassembly sequence planning. Three sustainability strategies are addressed in the proposed model-based system for robotic disassembly planning: reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. The results of two case studies based on end-of-life industrial gear pumps demonstrate that the Bees Algorithm can find the best solution for robotic disassembly sequence planning.

COP26 AND HEALTH: SOME PROGRESS, BUT TOO SLOW AND NOT ENOUGH

COP26 AND HEALTH: SOME PROGRESS, BUT TOO SLOW AND NOT ENOUGH

Cut greenhouse gas emissions, advocates tell chemical industry

Cut greenhouse gas emissions, advocates tell chemical industry

Perils of an open Arctic

Perils of an open Arctic

Making Industrial Policy Work for Decarbonization

AbstractIndustrial policy has begun to move into the center of debates on climate policy. This represents a shift away from climate policy as we know it—as classic environmental policy. Industrial policy and environmental policy differ in their policy goals, policy instruments, and distributional effects, one primarily concerned with economic development, the other with cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This raises questions about policy interactions between industrial and environmental policy in broader climate policy mixes and how these affect global decarbonization. This article identifies complementary and conflictual dynamics between industrial policy and environmental policy in both domestic and international climate politics. It shows how green industrial policy can advance climate goals and cooperation but can also present challenges to deepening climate cooperation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Developing an understanding of policy interactions is central to leveraging the potential of industrial policy to accelerate global decarbonization.

Climate Change Challenge 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) climate summit is crucial but may be disappointing?

Human activity is the main cause of climate change. People burn fossil fuels and convert land from forests to agriculture. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Climate change due to vehicular movements, industries, and deforestation for creating newer inhabitations affects the environmental and social determinants of health. An effective public health response to climate change is involves preventing injuries and illnesses, escalating public health preparedness, and reducing risk of consequences of all listed climate change immediate support, manage health effects and outbreaks. The world leaders are gathering in Glasgow for COP26, today the October 31st, 2021, to carry forwards the unfinished agenda. The process is ruled by arriving at consensus, and the pace is set by the least willing countries. In 2019, developed countries provided $16.7 billion as a grant, that amounts to just $1 per month for climate finance. Developed countries can surely afford more than this. A credible climate finance plan from them is, therefore, crucial. The world’s 20 biggest economies recently endorsed a landmark deal on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% and will aim to implement the rules by 2023 for climate financing. The main reason why cop26 process matters is that the science, diplomacy, activism, and public opinion that support it make up the best mechanism the world currently must help it come to terms with a fundamental truth. Looking at the progress made since the imitation of COP so far and minimal groundwork that has been done to achieve them, most of the demands may not be met. India’s ambitious 450 GW renewable energy goal by 2030, its hydrogen mission, plan to move Indian railways to ‘net-zero’ emission by 2030, land degradation neutrality and massive programme to increase forest cover- natural carbon sink the key points the country will commit to drive home. Forty-five nations pledged to step up protection of nature and overhaul farming to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but major economies led by the US, Japan and Germany and developing nations such as India, Indonesia, Morocco, Vietnam, Philippines, Gabon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uruguay backed from commitments. The steps include leveraging over $4 billion of new public sector investment into agricultural innovation, including the development of climate-resilient crops and regenerative solutions to improve soil health. I think climate challenges will be met, not because of summits and global idealism but because of enormous sums likely to be spent on green innovation by profit-driven corporations, incentivised by modest government subsidies and mandates Material & methods: This article is a review of available literature on Impact of climate change on health and global Climate change efforts, in press and various government and UN agency documents.

Nuclear energy: A distraction on the road to climate solutions

ABSTRACT Much needs to happen, and happen quickly, to avoid the worst climate catastrophes. Despite its low-carbon virtues, nuclear energy is anything but quick. At its best, nuclear energy might provide some load-balancing ballast for renewable energies; at its worst, it will slow the transition to a net-zero emissions future and should therefore be trimmed from our set of options. Continuing to support nuclear energy at the expense of faster and cheaper alternatives for cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a losing strategy.

Linking solar geoengineering and emissions reductions: strategically resolving an international climate change policy dilemma

ABSTRACT Solar geoengineering appears able to reduce climate change risks but raises controversy, the leading cause of which is the concern that its research, development, and evaluation might inappropriately obstruct efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions (‘mitigation’). Describing how policies could effectively and feasibly manage such possible mitigation obstruction has proven elusive. One option would be to strategically link the international policies of mitigation and solar geoengineering. Here I explore this by disaggregating states based on their relevant characteristics. I propose linkages of mitigation policy with: (1) solar geoengineering research and development, (2) decision-making regarding whether to deploy solar geoengineering, and (3) how to deploy solar geoengineering. Based on the incentives that states would face under them, these linkages are assessed on whether they can be expected to effectively increase mitigation and are seem minimally feasible. Linkages in each of the three categories have potential and could occur sequentially. In the linkage which I believe has the greatest potential, one or more states would proclaim their right to deploy solar geoengineering if and only if they meet their own mitigation goals and the rest of the world insufficiently mitigates, and would promise to forego deployment if either condition is not met. I identify this proposed linkage’s possible challenges, including legitimacy, credibility, optimal size, relations among targets of the linkage, stringency of mitigation goals, and potential counterproductivity. Limitations to this exploration and assessment include the speculative nature, the assumption that states’ preferences regarding mitigation and solar geoengineering are properly related, and the use of noncooperative linkage. Key policy insights Solar geoengineering could reduce the impacts of climate change but is controversial, in large part because of concerns that its research, development, or use might obstruct efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. I explore and assess whether linking international policies of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and solar geoengineering could feasibly and effectively increase emissions reductions. In the linkage that I believe has the greatest potential, one or more states would proclaim their right to deploy solar geoengineering if and only if they meet their emissions reductions goals and other countries do not.

Remoteness does not enhance coral reef resilience.

Remote coral reefs are thought to be more resilient to climate change due to their isolation from local stressors like fishing and pollution. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the relationship between local human influence and coral community resilience. Surprisingly, we found no relationship between human influence and resistance to disturbance and some evidence that areas with greater human development may recover from disturbance faster than their more isolated counterparts. Our results suggest remote coral reefs are imperiled by climate change, like so many other geographically isolated ecosystems, and are unlikely to serve as effective biodiversity arks. Only drastic and rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will ensure coral survival. Our results also indicate that some reefs close to large human populations were relatively resilient. Focusing research and conservation resources on these more accessible locations has the potential to provide new insights and maximize conservation outcomes.

Pinch-based planning of terrestrial carbon management networks

Negative emissions technologies (NETs) will be needed to achieve deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change in the coming decades. Enhanced weathering and biochar application are two NETs that are based on the enhancement of naturally occurring processes; compared to other NETs, they have the advantage of relying on mature component technologies. Both technologies offer the prospect of sequestering carbon from the atmosphere at the scale of multiple gigatons per year if deployed commercially via carbon management networks (CMNs). However, planning future CMNs will present similar challenges as optimizing supply chains for current product systems. In this work, a pinch analysis approach for the planning of CMNs based on either enhanced weathering or biochar application is developed. Planning is framed as a source-sink problem typical in process integration (PI) applications, allowing pinch analysis to be applied to determine optimal system targets and synthesize the corresponding CMNs. General principles of pinch analysis are shown to be applicable to the planning problem. Case studies on enhanced weathering and biochar application CMNs are solved to illustrate this approach.

Printability of Collecting Electrode Using AJP for New Construction of Photovoltaic Device

In 2018, the European Parliament and Council laid down a directive about the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources connected with the Paris Agreement, which sets a global ambition on climate change mitigation through deep and fast cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, the science world has been even more focused on the development of green technologies such as wind farms, waterpower stations, and photovoltaics as the European Union is preparing to shift to renewables-based energy systems. Each green power technology has its own problems and limitations. Nevertheless, for environmental protection, new power technologies have to be implemented in the near future as primary power sources. Described in this article is the application of aerosol jet printing in manufacture of photovoltaic cells, moving the technology boundaries further toward highly efficient, cost-effective, green power production. The research focused on utilizing aerosol jet printing technology to create finger-shaped collecting electrodes on a newly constructed, non-silicon photovoltaic cell, based on metal oxides. Three commercial nanosilver inks were investigated considering their printing parameters, printability on the specified substrate (AZO-coated glass, AZO-coated copper plate), resistivity of the cured composite, quality of the overprints, and application in photovoltaics. As a result, we obtained finger-shaped collecting electrodes with a resistivity of 3.5 µΩ∙cm and 8 µm width, which compares well with the literature.

Feeding the world in a narrowing safe operating space

Feeding the world in a narrowing safe operating space