Exacerbate Climate Change Research Articles

Climate sustainability through a dynamic duo: Green hydrogen and crypto driving energy transition and decarbonization

Climate change persists as a pressing global issue due to high greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based energy sources. A transition to a greener energy matrix combined with carbon offsetting is imperative to mitigate the rate at which global temperature ascends. While countries have deployed faith in green hydrogen to accelerate worldwide decarbonization efforts, the concurrent rise of blockchain-operated crypto-applications, such as bitcoin, has exacerbated climate change concerns. In this study, we propose technological solutions that combine the green hydrogen infrastructure with bitcoin mining operations to catalyze environmental and socioeconomic sustainability in climate change mitigation strategies. Since the present state of crypto-operations undeniably contributes to worldwide carbon emissions, it becomes vital to explore opportunities for harnessing the widespread enthusiasm for bitcoin as an aid toward a sustainable and climate-friendly future. Our findings reveal that green hydrogen production, paired with crypto-operations, can accelerate the deployment of solar and wind power capacities to boost conventional mitigation frameworks. Specifically, leveraging the economic potential derived from green hydrogen and bitcoin for incremental investment in renewable energy penetration, this dynamic duo can enable capacity expansions of up to 25.5% and 73.2% for solar and wind power installations. Therefore, the proposed technological solutions that leverage green hydrogen and bitcoin mining, bolstered with appropriate policy interventions, can not only strengthen renewable power generation and carbon offsetting capacities but also contribute significantly to achieving climate sustainability.

Are IMF programs raising greenhouse gas emissions in the Global South?

Abstract Are International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs raising greenhouse gas emissions in the Global South? I argue powerful actors structure markets in ways exacerbating climate change. This works through the IMF’s imposition of market coercion—specifically, currency devaluation, global openness and fiscal pressures from austerity. Countries respond to these conditions through extractivist strategies and productive growth to increase exports. To investigate this relationship, I use instrumental variables and difference-in-difference analyses for 130 countries between 1980 and 2018. Results show emissions increase from structural lending conditions but not when conditions afford borrowers more flexibility. This effect takes several years to manifest. While there is no single sector responsible for this change, agriculture, land-use changes and, to some extent, industry, have notable emission effects following an IMF program. Global South emissions are partly rooted in imposed austerity which raises important political questions about the climate crisis, development and international finance.

Biochar Utilization as a Forestry Climate-Smart Tool

Carbon (C) in gaseous form is a component of several greenhouse gases emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels. C movement between the atmosphere, land (biosphere and lithosphere), and ocean (hydrosphere) alters the total amount in each pool. Human activities accelerate C movement into the atmosphere, causing increases in temperature. This shift from terrestrial and oceanic C pools to the atmosphere causes an increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of catastrophic climate disturbances. Although society hears and reads about C emissions, there is a lack of understanding of its importance and the need to decrease it in the atmospheric pool to avoid exacerbating climate change. Forests and biochar are two biological methods to retain C in the terrestrial pool for a long time and at a very low cost. However, forest harvesting, the use of woody biomass as a source of renewable C for different applications, and the relationship with decreasing C emissions have created a highly controversial topic among governments, the scientific community, society in general, and social groups. The main objective of this review is to highlight the importance of C, forests, and biochar, including the benefits of C sequestration to decrease the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable forests and healthy soils in the future. The main findings show strong evidence that climate-smart forest management practices are an efficient option for managing C and increasing C stocks. This review suggests that forest management mitigation actions are another efficient C management approach with high potential. The findings show that biochar is a climate-smart tool that contributes to climate change mitigation by increasing soil carbon sequestration and reducing soil GHG emissions, including other associated benefits.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Climate Change-Friendly and Resilient Agriculture

The world is now facing a dilemma because; on the one hand, agriculture intensification to feed the skyrocketing population entails more fossil fuels consumption and more synthetic fertilizers application inducing more Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions that exacerbate climate change. Climate change, on the other hand, has led to adverse effects on the agriculture sector on a global scale despite some minor advantages in higher latitudes. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA), hence, is the only solution to ensure sustainable agriculture productivity and maintain its resilience to climate change consequences. It is a modern approach to responding the climate change by reducing the trade-offs and improving the synergies of agricultural practices. It stands on three main pillars namely, sustainable productivity, resilience-building, and GHGs emissions mitigation using indigenous knowledge and site-specific solutions. Among several practices applied, the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture is one of the modern initiatives that can achieve the principal goals of CSA significantly. Therefore, the overall goal of this review paper is to examine the reciprocal effects of climate change and agriculture, discuss the concept of CSA, and ascertain its applicability in Afghanistan.

Poor Land Management and its Impacts on Climate Change

The poor land management practices exacerbate climate change. The study elucidates the intricate relationships between deforestation, soil degradation, and their repercussions on climate patterns. The findings underscore the critical need for integrated land-use policies, afforestation initiatives, sustainable agricultural practices, community empowerment, and policy reforms to mitigate these adverse effects and foster a more resilient environment. The importance of land management in addressing climate change and mitigating its effects, which is the primary source of livelihood in developing countries. In this paper, we explore the basic concepts and principles of sustainable land management to combat climate change. A major focus is to provide an overview of the most important problems that the world faces with land-related, environmental, and climate change issues. However, the poor management of land is a silent crisis that permeates multiple aspects of our lives. This article sheds light on the critical importance of responsible land management and the far-reaching consequences of neglecting this vital resource. To ensure the success of this study, a variety of sources were used. These included books, journals, and special reports (UNFCCC, FAO, IPCC, IFG, and Land Portal special reports on sustainable land management and climate change). We used research-related tools like Arc GIS and QGIS to determine which land is most vulnerable and to find solutions for managing it and changing it into sustainable land.

Probing Structural Transformations and Degradation Mechanisms by Direct Observation in SIFSIX-3-Ni for Direct Air Capture.

Despite global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, continued industrialization threatens to exacerbate climate change. This work investigates methods to capture CO2, with a focus on the SIFSIX-3-Ni metal-organic framework (MOF) as a direct air capture (DAC) sorbent. SIFSIX-3-Ni exhibits promising CO2 adsorption properties but suffers from degradation processes under accelerated aging, which are akin to column regeneration conditions. Herein, we have grown the largest SIFSIX-3-Ni single crystals to date, facilitating single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses that enabled direct observation of the H2O and CO2 dynamics through adsorption and desorption. In addition, a novel space group (I4/mcm) for the SIFSIX-3-Ni is identified, which provided insights into structural transitions within the framework and elucidated water's role in degrading CO2 uptake performance as the material ages. In situ X-ray scattering methods revealed long-range and local structural transformations associated with CO2 adsorption in the framework pores as well as a temperature-dependent desorption mechanism. Pair distribution function analysis revealed a partial decomposition to form nonporous single-layer nanosheets of edge-sharing nickel oxide octahedra upon aging. The formation of these nanosheets is irreversible and reduces the amount of active material for the CO2 sorption. These findings provide crucial insights for the development of efficient and stable DAC sorbents, effectively reducing greenhouse gases, and suggest avenues for enhancing MOF stability under practical DAC conditions.

Self‐ignition of forest soil samples demonstrated through hot storage tests

AbstractThe increasing threat of forest fires on a global scale is not only a matter of concern due to the potential harm they may cause to both human and animal life but also due to their significant role in exacerbating climate change. In light of these circumstances, one might inquire as to whether forest soil can self‐ignite and, if so, under what conditions and at what temperatures this phenomenon may occur. This question is being addressed in the German pilot “Fire science of wildfires and safety measures” of the EU project TREEADS, and the first results are presented below. The importance of basic research into the self‐ignition of forest soil cannot be underestimated, as it provides crucial knowledge to prevent forest fires and protect human and animal health. Furthermore, mitigating the occurrence of forest fires can also play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. The procedure of the hot storage test is an effective means of determining whether a material can self‐ignite. During the investigation of six soil samples, it was found that five of them were indeed capable of self‐ignition. In addition to determining whether the material ignites, the modified hot storage test also analyzed the resulting smoke gases and measured their concentration. The research question of whether regional forest soil is capable of self‐ignition can be answered with yes based on these initial tests. Further experiments are needed to determine if self‐ignition causes forest fires.

MONITORING SUMMER DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME DECADAL TRENDS OF LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE OVER THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION DELHI

Abstract. Urbanization-related growth and development have been recognized as substantial factors in increasing surface temperatures. India's rapid urbanization has exacerbated climate change challenges, particularly the rising Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomena. The study used LST data from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to examine decadal variances in LST and diurnal LST variations over the summer months in a study region. We compared the LST values in 2010, 2020, and 2022 with the reference year 2000 by analyzing LST data collected from 2000 to 2022 using geospatial analysis. The study found a significant increase in the LST over a two-decade period, particularly in May and June, with temperature jumps of up to 10 (°C) both during the day and at night. The study also revealed differences in LST patterns between rural and urban regions, with rural areas having a higher daytime LST than urban areas and urban areas witnessing an elevated nighttime LST owing to the UHI impact. Analysis revealed significant differences in LST patterns, with 2020 showing lower surface temperatures due to limited heat released from anthropogenic activities such as industrial operation and vehicular traffic due to the COVID-19 lockdown. However, in the years 2010 and 2022, the study observed a significant increase in LST during the summer months both during the day and at night. These findings provided useful insights for urban development and planning and contribute to the implementation of measures aimed at reducing heat-related risks and improving the well-being of urban residents.

Coffee Leaf Traits, Bean Quality and Biochemistry across Elevation and Shade Gradients in Ethiopia

Abstract According to model projections, coffee cultivation areas will need to move to higher elevations as suitability moves upslope to compensate for increased temperatures. However, shifting coffee-growing areas upslope may bring conflicts with land use and crops other than coffee and induce adverse socio-economic and environmental impacts associated with deforestation for new coffee cultivation. Moreover, model projections are largely limited to ex-situ experiments based on downscaled global climate models, and thus empirical data are still needed to assess climate change impacts on coffee production in Ethiopia in the future. Furthermore, conditions such as shade tree canopy closure, soil fertility and elevation may either ameliorate or exacerbate climate change impacts. In the absence of significant interventions, this could result in considerable land use change, increased vulnerability of coffee-dependent livelihoods and a potential shortage of coffee supply. Hence, to generate trustworthy and accurate information for climate-resilient Ethiopian coffee production, more field-based experiments are needed. In this PhD thesis, I used coffee plants growing at contrasting elevations using a space-for-time substitution approach for warming in south-west Ethiopia. The coffee plants were superimposed under various shade tree species with multi-strata canopy architecture. The potential of increasing canopy closure in modulating responses to increasing temperature, and the associated effect on coffee plant traits, green bean quality and biochemistry, were thoroughly explored. Based on my findings, I was able to identify potential limiting factors, to close the coffee quality gap by providing improved management recommendations tailored to the local ecological conditions while acknowledging the dynamic drivers (mainly resource availability and climatic variability) for the long-term sustainability of the coffee industry.

Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainability in Civil Aviation

As air travel has become a crucial part of modern life, concerns about its environmental impact, economic sustainability, and social responsibility have significantly grown. Sustainability in this context refers to the delicate balance between current needs and future aspirations, taking into consideration environmental, economic, and social factors. The aviation industry is a substantial contributor to worldwide carbon emissions, and its ongoing growth poses a threat to exacerbate climate change. But it also has a crucial role in promoting economic growth and global connectivity. Achieving a balance between these competing interests necessitates a collaborative approach involving governments, industry stakeholders, academia and the general public. The sustainability viewpoint in the aviation sector, as well as the research carried out in this field, is of great significance in advancing the sector. The objective of this research is to identify and analyze publications regarding sustainability in the aviation sector within the SSCI and SCI-Exp databases. Suggestions for future research are proposed. The study includes a bibliometric analysis of 123 scientific articles published between 2001 and 2023. The findings reveal significant trends, influential authors and leading institutions in aviation sustainability research whilst also identifying gaps in the literature. Keyword analysis revealed recurring themes such as energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and life cycle assessment. These findings highlight the aviation industry's increasing dedication to sustainability and the necessity for further research and practical measures to ensure a more environmentally sustainable future for civil aviation.

Climate change and soil protection in Zambia's law and policy

Climate change has been a topical subject for decades. This has led to concerted efforts, at a global level, channelled towards combating its adverse effects. This has resulted in the consequential adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the setting of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 which obliges States Parties to incorporate climate change measures into national policies. The government of Zambia has adopted, amongst others, the National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC) 2016 which has led to ongoing discussions and consultations on the drafting of the Climate Change Bill. The measures on climate change mitigation, though laudable, are bereft of provisions that are specifically aimed at soil protection. Soil protection thrives, in part, on proper soil use which can help to mitigate climate change. Unfortunately, Zambia's legal and policy frameworks have not adequately protected the soil which omission potentially exacerbates the effects of climate change. Of grave concern is the failure to recognise the inter-relatedness of soil protection and climate change which necessitates ingraining provisions on soil protection provisions in climate change mitigation measures.In this article, the author argues that the absence of specific provisions on soil protection in Zambia's climate change law and policy militates against the protection of the soil thereby exacerbating climate change effects.

Unlocking the Potential of Biomass Fly Ash: Exploring Its Application in Geopolymeric Materials and a Comparative Case Study of BFA-Based Geopolymeric Concrete against Conventional Concrete

The production of conventional cement involves high energy consumption and the release of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), exacerbating climate change. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials, such as limestone and clay, leads to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Geopolymer technology offers a promising alternative to conventional cement by utilizing industrial byproducts and significantly reducing carbon emissions. This paper analyzes the utilization of biomass fly ash (BFA) in the formation of geopolymer concrete and compares its carbon and cost impacts to those of conventional concrete. The previous analysis shows great potential for geopolymers to reduce the climate change impact of cement production. The results of this analysis indicate a significant disparity in the computed financial and sustainability costs associated with geopolymers. Researchers have shown that geopolymers may help mitigate the effects of cement manufacturing on the environment. These geopolymers are predicted to reduce green gas emissions by 40–80%. They also show that those advantages can be realized with the best possible feedstock source and the cheapest possible conveyance. Furthermore, our case study on CO2 emission and cost calculation for BFA-based geopolymer and conventional concrete shows that geopolymer concrete preparation emits 56% less CO2 than conventional concrete while costing 32.4% less per ton.

Photovoltage Energy Exploitation in Iraq: Overview of Obstacles and Solutions

Energy is an essential component of meeting social needs and economic growth. The international energy agency (IEA) estimates that a 53% increase in global energy consumption is expected by 2030. Pollution of environment, climate change, and the growing of demand energy worldwide require serious attention. Moreover, fossil fuels will significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions from combustion and exacerbate climate change. Renewable energies (REs) such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biofuels are the right solution to running out of fossil fuels, protecting the environment, and stopping climate degradation. Many countries have jumped into the field of energy production from photovoltaic panels to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and recorded success stories. This paper reviews the great efforts developed countries and the rest of the world made in investing in solar energy. Especially photovoltaic energy, and compares it with the reality of the situation concerning the neighboring countries of Iraq in general and in Iraq in particular, and shows the determinants of developing this industry and the difficulties it faces, especially in the field of providing electricity to cities and farms. Moreover, providing appropriate solutions based on the success stories achieved by other countries.

Carbon pricing, carbon equity, and the RCEP framework

Trade liberalization in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) not only contributes to regional economic growth but also leads to an increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions, which may exacerbate climate change risks. This study aims to explore the carbon pricing issue in the context of the RCEP framework. Additionally, for the sake of carbon equity, we introduce a differentiated carbon pricing scheme based on the cost fairness principle (CPCF), and the unified carbon pricing was used for a cost effectiveness analysis. The empirical analysis was conducted with a global multi-regional computable general equilibrium model. The results show that with the help of trade liberalization, the RCEP's GDP, energy consumption, and carbon emissions may increase by 0.639%, 1.962%, and 1.897%, respectively. The CPCF scheme, wherein developed countries assume the primary abatement burden, can be used to offset the increase in carbon emissions from trade liberalization while RCEP members maintain positive economic growth. The total abatement cost of the CPCF for carbon offsets in the RCEP can be reduced via unified carbon pricing, and the cost-saving effect approaches 24.24%. Unified carbon pricing may result in a carbon price of US $5.83 within the RCEP. As such, this study explores carbon pricing in the context of trade liberalization, and its findings will be valuable for the RCEP to achieve a win-win situation in terms of economic growth and climate change.

Ocean Acidification, Climate and Health Hazard

Ocean acidification is a growing threat to marine life, ecosystems, and human health. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are the main drivers of ocean acidification. As atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise, the ocean’s pH decreases, making it more acidic. This review examines the impacts of ocean acidification on climate and health hazards, focusing on the causes and consequences of acidification, as well as potential solutions. The review discusses how ocean acidification is affecting marine life, including shellfish, corals, and fish, and how this can lead to economic and ecological consequences. Additionally, it explores how ocean acidification is exacerbating climate change and contributing to the occurrence of extreme weather events. The review also examines the potential health hazards associated with ocean acidification, including the impact on human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood, and the impact on mental health due to the loss of natural resources. Furthermore, this review outlines potential solutions to address ocean acidification, such as reducing CO2 emissions, improving wastewater treatment, and implementing sustainable fishing practices. The review concludes that urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address this issue and underscores the importance of developing sustainable solutions to preserve the health of our oceans and the well-being of human populations worldwide.

What contributes to local-level institutional adaptation under climate change? A configurational approach based on evidence from China's Sponge City Program

Unrestrained human industrial and agricultural production activities exacerbate climate change and environmental pollution. Climate change leads to an increase in flood risks and the spread of water and soil pollution, resulting in challenges in urban stormwater management. Institutional adaptation to climate change is vital for realizing effective local urban stormwater management. However, the accumulated knowledge on climate adaptation over the past decade has been concentrated at the technical and economic levels, with limited research on institutional adaptation. The Sponge City Program in China selects 30 pilot cities to promote a novel stormwater management approach that combines the reliability of traditional gray infrastructures made of concrete materials with the adaptability and sustainability of green-blue infrastructures based on natural-based solutions, but the extent of institutional adaptation in this process varies considerably across pilot cities. To explain what drives institutional adaptation, a configurational analysis of pilot cities is conducted using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method. Based on data from 628 official reports and 36 interviews, we demonstrate local governments are significant institutional entrepreneurs, and high institutional adaptation occurs with the combined effects of institutional capacity, financial resources, and reputational incentives. There are three types of paths driving institutional adaptation: “strong institutional capacity-strong financial resource-low reputational reserve,” “strong institutional capacity-strong financial resource-high reputational competition,” and “strong institutional capacity-weak financial resource-low reputational reserve.” These three paths account for 72% of the instances of high institutional adaptation outcomes, and 90% of cases share a given configuration of conditions associated with an outcome. Our conclusion advances a theoretical understanding of the drivers of institutional adaptation and provides guidelines for future climate adaptation practices.

Quantifying farm-to-fork greenhouse gas emissions for five dietary patterns across Europe and North America: A pooled analysis from 2009 to 2020

Dietary patterns are inherently related to greenhouse (GHG) emissions via agricultural practices and food production systems. As the global population is predicted to increase from 8 billion (current) to 9.6 billion by 2050 added pressure will be placed on existing agricultural systems, resulting in increased GHG emissions thus exacerbating climate change. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand present-day dietary patterns to shift to sustainable and healthy diets to mitigate GHG emissions and meet future climate targets. However, no review or pooled analyses of dietary pattern emissions from a farm-to-fork perspective has been undertaken to date. The current study sought to i) identify the current dietary habits within high-income regions from 2009 to 2020 and ii) quantify the GHG emissions associated with these dietary patterns via a global systematised review and pooled analysis. Twenty-three peer-reviewed studies were identified through online bibliographic databases. Dietary patterns are being examined based on fixed inclusion/exclusion criteria. Five dietary patterns were identified in the review with their mean GHG emissions: high-protein diets (5.71 CO2eq kg person −1 day −1), omnivorous diet (4.83 CO2eq kg person −1 day −1), lacto-ovo-vegetarian/pescatarian diet (3.86 CO2eq kg person −1 day −1), recommended diet (3.68 CO2eq kg person −1 day −1), and the vegan diet (2.34 CO2eq kg person −1 day −1). The lacto-ovo-vegetarian/pescatarian diet was associated with significantly lower emissions than both the omnivorous and high-protein dietary patterns, with -22% and -41% GHG emissions, respectively. The high-protein dietary pattern exhibited significantly higher GHG emissions than other dietary patterns. Geographically, significant statistical differences (p = 0.001) were only reported for the omnivorous diet between North America and Europe. Findings reveal that GHG emissions vary based on dietary patterns and have the potential to be reduced by shifting dietary patterns, which benefits the environment by lessening one of the drivers of climate change.

Air Conditioning Heat load Analysis of a Cabin

Abstract: Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C (US), AC (US), or air con (UK), is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior environment (sometimes referred to as "comfort cooling") and in some cases also strictly controlling the humidity of internal air. Air conditioning can be achieved using a mechanical 'air conditioner' or alternatively a variety of other methods, including passive cooling or ventilative cooling. Air conditioning is a member of a family of systems and techniques that provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Heat pumps are similar in many ways to air conditioners, but use a reversing valve to allow them to heat and also cool an enclosed space. Air conditioners, which typically use vapor-compression refrigeration, range in size from small units used within vehicles or single rooms to massive units that can cool large buildings. Air source heat pumps, which can be used for heating as well as cooling, are becoming increasingly common in cooler climates. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as of 2018, 1.6 billion air conditioning units were installed, which accounted for an estimated 20% of electricity usage in buildings globally with the number expected to grow to 5.6 billion by 2050. The United Nations called for the technology to be made more sustainable to mitigate climate change and for the use of alternatives, like passive cooling, evaporative cooling, selective shading, windcatchers, and better thermal insulation. CFC and HCFC refrigerants such as R-12 and R-22, respectively, used within air conditioners have caused damage to the ozone layer, and HFC refrigerants such as R-410a and R-404a, which were designed to replace CFCs and HCFCs, are instead exacerbating climate change. Both issues happen due to the venting of refrigerant to the atmosphere, such as during repairs. HFO refrigerants, used in some if not most new equipment, solve both issues with an ozone damage potential (ODP) of zero and a much lower global warming potential (GWP) in the single or double digits vs. the three or four digits of HFCs.

Deficiencies of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Risk of Exacerbating Climate Change

This paper examines the effectiveness of NDCs in the Paris Agreement for alleviating climate change and inequality. Incorporating evidence from reviews and journals, this study argues that NDCs effectively solve part of the pre-existing inequality, yet the deficiencies of this mechanism have to be improved to achieve the maximization of its function. More specifically, by evaluating the changes brought by NDCs including independent emission reduction, the improved role of developed country parties, and the re-positioned role of developing country parties, the innovations of NDCs mechanism to successfully solve the pre-existing problems in the Kyoto Protocol are clearly recognized and demonstrated. Yet by analyzing the existing deficiencies of NDCs including weak legal binding causing overall low ambition, potential vicious cycle formed, insufficient compliance motivation, and the problem of free riders causing the tragedy of Race to the Bottom, NDCs are shown to be insufficient to effectively address climate change and respond to inequality. Finally, it is worth considering strengthening the participation of non-state actors and enhancing the link between climate change and trade as possible methods to improve the deficiencies of NDCs, and other possible ways of improvement are put forward.

Effect of Production Factors on the Bioethanol Yield of Tropical Sawdust

Bioethanol production from cellulosic materials is important in mitigating the concomitant displacement and exploitation of primary food crops for biofuel production and reducing carbon emissions which exacerbate climate change. The problem of reduced yield in the production and availability of yeast locally poses a barrier to market adoption and penetration of bioethanol. The study examined the effect of particle size and different yeast strains on the yield of bioethanol from waste sawdust that was sourced from a local timber processing centre. The samples of yeast were prepared from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and palm wine yeast (Saccharomyces chevalieri). The sawdust was reduced to 212 μm, 300 μm, and 500 μm particle sizes. The samples of each particle size were pretreated and hydrolyzed with H2SO4 and fermented with S. cerevisiae or S. chevalieri yeast. The results obtained show that the weight, pH, density, viscosity, flash point, and heating value of the produced bioethanol ranged between 221.67 and 322.64 g, 6.2 and 6.6, 0.821 and 0.878 g/mL, 1.073 and 1.193, 14 and 16°C, and 20.5 and 23.1 MJ/kg, respectively, while the alcohol content of each of the samples was 69%. Furthermore, the bioethanol yield from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was 213.9 mL, 193.2 mL, and 186.3 mL, for the 212 μm, 300 μm, and 500 μm particles, while for Saccharomyces chevalieri yeast, the yield was 289.8 mL, 255.3 mL, and 220.8 mL for the 212 μm, 300 μm, and 500 μm, respectively. An ANOVA on the effect of particle size on ethanol yield shows a significant difference at 5% level of significance. The study demonstrated that the use of locally produced yeast and increasing the surface area of sawdust increase bioethanol yield. Hence, it was concluded that better yeast strain use and biomass particle size reduction to a level that allows the optimal surface area for the reaction improve the yield of bioethanol. The study outcome can help in ameliorating the continued dependence on fossil fuels and the food security problems arising from displacing or utilizing food for fuel and could also encourage commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production from waste.