Implications For Climate Change Mitigation Research Articles

The Potential of Absorbing Aerosols to Enhance Extreme Precipitation

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of various climate forcing agents, such as aerosols, on extreme precipitation is socially and scientifically vital. While anthropogenic absorbing aerosols influence Earth's energy balance and atmospheric convection, their role in extreme events remains unclear. This paper uses convective‐resolving radiative‐convective‐equilibrium simulations, with fixed solar radiation, to investigate the influence of absorbing aerosols on extreme precipitation comprehensively. Our findings reveal an underappreciated mechanism through which absorbing aerosols can, under certain conditions, strongly intensify extreme precipitation. Notably, we demonstrate that a mechanism previously reported for much warmer (hothouse) climates, where intense rainfall alternates with multi‐day dry spells, can operate under current realistic conditions due to absorbing aerosol influence. This mechanism operates when an aerosol perturbation shifts the lower tropospheric radiative heating rate to positive values, generating a strong inhibition layer. Our work highlights an additional potential effect of absorbing aerosols, with implications for climate change mitigation and disaster risk management.

Patterns and drivers of the above- and below-ground carbon stock in Afromontane forest of southern Ethiopia: implications for climate change mitigation

Patterns and drivers of the above- and below-ground carbon stock in Afromontane forest of southern Ethiopia: implications for climate change mitigation

Using Evidence-based Scientific Research to Influence Dietary Behavioral Change: Taking a Look in the Mirror.

Science can provide accurate information to society to inform decision-making and behavior. One contemporary topic in which the science is very clear, yet behavioral change has lagged, is climate change mitigation. Climate change scientists use evidence-based research to advocate to the public to adopt emission-reducing behaviors in various sectors such as transportation and food. However, scientists themselves often do not change their own behaviors according to the scientific consensus. We present a case study of a group of natural sciences PhD students, who, when presented with evidence and an opportunity for a behavioral change with implications for climate change mitigation, demonstrated defensive reactions that would undoubtedly frustrate these same scientists if they were doing public outreach about their own work. Our goal is to raise awareness that we scientists do not always practice what we preach but could perhaps overcome this by understanding the defense mechanisms that impede meaningful change.

A review of the carbon sequestration potential of fruit trees and their implications for climate change mitigation: The case of Ethiopia

A review of the carbon sequestration potential of fruit trees and their implications for climate change mitigation: The case of Ethiopia

Implications of climate change mitigation and socioeconomic development on the U.S. electric power sector

Climate change poses a global challenge, and the electric power sector, as a major greenhouse gas contributor, plays a central role in tackling and curbing its effects. Despite significant research on global and national future pathways, there is a need for further exploration into the application of Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) to understand sub-national impacts on the electric power sector. This study employs the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM-USA) to analyze how climate change mitigation and socioeconomic development interact in the U.S. electric power sector at the state level. We developed four scenarios covering different levels of decarbonization efforts and socioeconomic development. Our research findings reveal a prevailing trend towards a less carbon-intensive U.S. electric sector, propelled by an expanding presence of natural gas and renewable energies in the energy mix. Such capital turnover leads to a significant reduction of overall CO2 emissions from the electric sector, albeit at a higher lifetime cost in particularly eastern states. The mitigation efforts also lead to overall decreased water withdrawal and increased water consumption in the electric sector, however, disparities in state-level responses are observed. While population growth predominantly shapes electricity generation, unique state-level electrification potential yields indirect population-electricity dynamics. The spatially heterogeneous response suggests complex trade-offs associated with reconciling climate mitigation objectives with local electricity demand and resource constraints. In sum, this research equips policymakers and stakeholders with invaluable insights to formulate mitigation strategies that align with the objective of the U.S. electric sector, both at a national and international level, while also catering to the unique characteristics of each state.

Soil health and carbon storage in community gardens in the Perth metropolitan area, Australia

AbstractCommunity gardens, as common spaces where people gather to grow food, help foster public health, greener urban environments, life‐long learning and vibrant communities. However, despite being promoted as sustainable horticulture and conservation agriculture, their soil health and carbon (C) sequestration potential, with implication for climate change mitigation, remains underexplored. This study assessed soil samples collected from raised beds (gardening area) and adjacent bare ground (control) at six community gardens in the Perth metropolitan area, Australia. These sites covered three soil mapping units (SMUs): calcareous deep sands, coloured sand and pale sands The soil in raised beds exhibited superior characteristics than surrounding urban soil including lower bulk density, higher pH buffering capacity, available nutrients including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total C and microbial biomass. Notably, we estimated that raised bed soils accumulated significant levels of C in the top 10 cm layer (0.55 kg/m2 or 5.5 T/ha). Our findings also indicate no significant heavy metal contamination in any of the community garden soils. Although the global area of community gardens is marginally small, these results suggest they hold potential for carbon sequestration, especially in urban and peri‐urban environments. The improved soil health and C storage potential in community garden soil are largely attributed to the regular application of compost produced within the community gardens.

Mitigation of Fully Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China and Implications for Climate Change Mitigation.

Fully fluorinated greenhouse gases (FFGHGs), including sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), have drawn attention because they have long atmospheric lifetimes (up to thousands of years) and high global warming potential. Targeting SF6, NF3, and four PFCs (CF4, C2F6, C3F8, and c-C4F8), this study projects future FFGHG emission patterns in China, explores their mitigation potential, and evaluates the effects of FFGHG emission reduction on the achievement of the country's carbon neutrality goal and climate change. FFGHG emissions are expected to increase consistently, ranging from 506 to 1356 Mt CO2-eq yr-1 in 2060 under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. If mitigation strategies are sufficiently employed, FFGHG emissions under three mitigation scenarios: Technologically Feasible 2030, Technologically Feasible 2050, and Technologically Feasible 2060, will eventually decrease to approximately 49-78, 70-110, and 98-164 Mt CO2-eq yr-1 in 2060, respectively, compared to the BAU scenario. Extensive implementation of FFGHG emission mitigation technologies will curb temperature rise by 0.008-0.013 °C under the slowest mitigation scenario, compared to 0.013-0.026 °C under the BAU scenario. Well-coordinated policies and reforms on FFGHG emission mitigation are recommended to prevent potential adverse effects on the climate to a certain extent.

Rising carbon inequality and its driving factors from 2005 to 2015

Carbon inequality is the gap in carbon footprints between the rich and the poor, reflecting an uneven distribution of wealth and mitigation responsibility. Whilst much is known about the level of inequality surrounding responsibility for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, little is known about the evolution in carbon inequality and how the carbon footprints of socio-economic groups have developed over time. Inequality can be reduced either by improving the living standards of the poor or by reducing the overconsumption of the rich, but the choice has very different implications for climate change mitigation. Here, we investigate the carbon footprints of income quintile groups for major 43 economies from 2005 to 2015. We find that most developed economies had declining carbon footprints but expanding carbon inequality, whereas most developing economies had rising footprints but divergent trends in carbon inequality. The top income group in developing economies grew fastest, with its carbon footprint surpassing the top group in developed economies in 2014. Developments are driven by a reduction in GHG intensity in all regions, which is partly offset by income growth in developed countries but more than offset by the rapid growth in selected emerging economies. The top income group in developed economies has achieved the least progress in climate change mitigation, in terms of decline rate, showing resistance of the rich. It shows mitigation efforts could raise carbon inequality. We highlight the necessity of raising the living standard of the poor and consistent mitigation effort is the core of achieving two targets.

The natural capital of seagrass beds in the Caribbean: evaluating their ecosystem services and blue carbon trade potential.

Seagrass beds provide tremendous services to society, including the storage of carbon, with important implications for climate change mitigation. Prioritizing conservation of this valuable natural capital is of global significance, and including seagrass beds in global carbon markets through projects that minimize loss, increase area or restore degraded areas represents a mechanism towards this end. Using newly available Caribbean seagrass distribution data, we estimated carbon storage in the region and calculated economic valuations of total ecosystem services and carbon storage. We estimated the 88 170 km2 of seagrass in the Caribbean stores 1337.8 (360.5-2335.0, minimum and maximum estimates, respectively) Tg carbon. The value of these seagrass ecosystems in terms of total ecosystem services and carbon alone was estimated to be $255 billion yr-1 and $88.3 billion, respectively, highlighting their potential monetary importance for the region. Our results show that Caribbean seagrass beds are globally substantial pools of carbon, and our findings underscore the importance of such evaluation schemes to promote urgently needed conservation of these highly threatened and globally important ecosystems.

Urbanization, renewable energy production, and carbon dioxide emission in BSEC member states: implications for climate change mitigation and energy markets.

As the world's population grows, the energy demand continues to rise due to advancements in technology and the impact of globalization. The finite nature of traditional energy sources has accelerated the shift toward renewable energy, particularly in developing countries where environmental degradation and declining quality of life are significant concerns. This study delves into the interplay between urbanization, carbon dioxide emissions, economic growth, and renewable energy production in Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation member states, providing new insights into the energy market. By using annual data from 1995 to 2020 and advanced panel cointegration tests, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the determinants of renewable energy for developing countries. The findings show a substantial and long-term relationship between urbanization, emissions, growth, and renewable energy production. These findings have important implications for policymakers and underscore the critical role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change in developing countries.

The dynamic link between eco-innovation and ecological footprint in India: does the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hold?

PurposeThe eco-innovation is considered one of the possible ways to tackle climate change. However, the conflicting empirical evidence related to the role of eco-innovation on environmental quality becomes a motivation to explore the effect of eco-innovation on environmental degradation proxied by ecological footprint. Besides, it controls economic growth, remittance inflows, trade openness and total energy consumption in the environmental degradation function.Design/methodology/approachUses the Augmented Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (AARDL) approach to examine the cointegration relation among the series during the period ranging from 1975 to 2017 for India within the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework.FindingsThe result suggests that eco-innovation can mitigate climate change by reducing the ecological footprint. Similarly, economic growth reduces the ecological footprint in the short- and long-run. However, the square of economic growth is positive and significant. Thus, it shows evidence against the conventional EKC hypothesis. The results also reveal that remittance inflows have an insignificant negative role on the ecological footprint, while total energy consumption and trade openness harm the environment by enhancing the ecological footprint.Practical implicationsThis study provides important implications for climate change mitigation. Thus, the government should promote eco-innovation to mitigate climate change by offering a favorable legal environment to the firms to adopt the same in their production and consumption activities. It also suggests that initiatives like green strategies should give serious attention while incurring research expenditure.Originality/valueNo prior studies assess the impact of eco-innovation on the ecological footprint for the period of 1975–2017 in India.

Energy Efficiency and Directed Technical Change: Implications for Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract I develop a directed technical change model of economic growth and energy efficiency in order to study the impact of climate change mitigation policies on energy use. I show that the standard Cobb–Douglas production function used in the environmental macroeconomics literature overstates the reduction in cumulative energy use that can be achieved with a given path of energy taxes. I also show that, in the model, the government combines energy taxes with research and development (R&D) policy that favors output-increasing technology—rather than energy efficiency technology—to maximize welfare subject to a constraint on cumulative energy use. In addition, I study energy use dynamics following sudden improvements in energy efficiency. Exogenous shocks that increase energy efficiency also decrease the incentive for subsequent energy efficiency R&D and increase long-run energy use relative to a world without the original shock. Subsidies for energy efficiency R&D, however, permanently alter R&D incentives and decrease long-run energy use.

Mammal and tree diversity accumulate different types of soil organic matter in the northern Amazon.

Diversity of plants and animals influence soil carbon through their contributions to soil organic matter (SOM). However, we do not know whether mammal and tree communities affect SOM composition in the same manner. This question is relevant because not all forms of carbon are equally resistant to mineralization by microbes and thus, relevant to carbon storage. We analyzed the elemental and molecular composition of 401 soil samples, with relation to the species richness of 83 mammal and tree communities at a landscape scale across 4.8 million hectares in the northern Amazon. We found opposite effects of mammal and tree richness over SOM composition. Mammal diversity is related to SOM rich in nitrogen, sulfur and iron whereas tree diversity is related to SOM rich in aliphatic and carbonyl compounds. These results help us to better understand the role of biodiversity in the carbon cycle and its implications for climate change mitigation.

Carbon storages and sequestration potentials in remnant forests of different patch sizes in northern Ethiopia: an implication for climate change mitigation

Abstract Background Forests provide various ecosystem services. They are natural capitals that enhance nature to regulate itself via carbon sinks. However, anthropogenic and natural factors have altered their CO2 sequestration and carbon storage potentials. This study is aimed for examining the effect of patch size and biomass extraction on carbon stocks in northern Ethiopia. A total of 61 sample plots measuring 20 m × 20 m size each (0.04 ha) had been systematically assigned on patches classified into three size categories. However, the numbers of plots taken per patch were different with their sizes. Moreover, stump density has been computed at each plot to estimate the difference in the level of disturbance among patches. Carbon stocks had been estimated via models previously developed. One-way ANOVA was used to examine a variation in carbon stocks and sequestration potentials. Besides, a linear regression analysis was discretely done to examine the relationship between patch sizes, disturbance level, and carbon stocks. Results The overall aboveground biomass (ton ha−1) for the studied patches was 2059.13. There was a statistically significant variation in carbon stocks (ton ha−1) among patch size categories. The mean levels of disturbance ranges from 10.83% ± 1.30 to 30.8% ± 4.04. However, statistically significant difference in the level of disturbance was observed between large and small patch size categories, respectively (p < 0.05). Besides, a regression analysis confirmed a significant and negative relationship between patch size and patch disturbances (R2 = 0.65, p < 0.05). However, significant positive relation between carbon stocks (ton ha−1) and patch size (R2 = 0.53, p < 0.05) had observed. Conclusions In general, patch size and biomass extinction significantly influenced carbon stocks and CO2 sequestration potentials of forests. Consequently, with the pressing need to mitigate the effects of rising atmospheric CO2, maximizing carbon storage in the forest ecosystem is increasingly considered a viable management strategy. Therefore, disturbed land restoration, increasing forest patch size, sustainable management, and conservation of the existing remnant forest patch is needed to enhance carbon stocks and CO2 sequestration potentials.

Assessment of Exclosure Impact on Carbon Stock and Woody Species Diversity in Tullu Korma, Ejere District, Oromia, Ethiopia: Implication For Climate Change Mitigation

Assessment of Exclosure Impact on Carbon Stock and Woody Species Diversity in Tullu Korma, Ejere District, Oromia, Ethiopia: Implication For Climate Change Mitigation

Decision to Practice Agroforestry among Farmers in Ogun State of Nigeria: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

Mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration centered on the availability of trees. This study evaluates farmers’ specific socioeconomic features that affect decision to practice agroforestry for the purpose of climate change mitigation among smallholder farmers in Ogun State of Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique in the selection of was n of 196 farmers. Primary data were collected with the application of structured questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression analysis. Based on the findings of the study, male farmers were the majority with mean age of 36 years cultivating an average farm size of 7.1hectares. Only 10.20% had no formal education. The average experience in farm production was 14 years More than half 59.69% of the farmers acquired their land through purchase. Majority (70.41%) of the farmers were practicing agroforestry. This is a good indication for climate change mitigation and environmental resource management. Factors influencing agroforestry practice among farmers were farm size, experience in farming and income received from farm business. The study recommends a policy strategy that will facilitate famers’ access to farmland with long tenure security.

Importance Value Index and Species Relative Contribution to Carbon Stocks in Savanna Ecosystems : Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Forest Management in Patako Forest (Senegal)

Importance Value Index and Species Relative Contribution to Carbon Stocks in Savanna Ecosystems : Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Forest Management in Patako Forest (Senegal)

Patterns and drivers of tree carbon stocks in Kashmir Himalayan forests: implications for climate change mitigation

BackgroundTemperate forests are major carbon sinks because of their high storage potential and low decomposition processes. We quantified tree carbon (TC) storage from 143 plots distributed across three major forest types of Kashmir Himalaya, relative to differences in ecological factors. Combined regression and Random Forest (RF) analysis were used to examine the distribution of TC stock along ecological gradients and recognize the role of driving factors on TC stocks.ResultsAmong the three forest types, sub-alpine (SA) forest was the primary TC sink, accounting for 228.73 t ha−1 of carbon, followed by mixed conifer (MC; 181.29 t C ha−1) and blue pine (BP; 133.04 t C ha−1) forests. The distribution of TC stocks among the three forest types differed significantly (χ2 = 18.87; P = 0.000). Relative carbon stock analysis demonstrated that Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana accounted 91% of TC stocks across the landscape. Basal area, mean diameter at breast height (DBH), elevation, disturbance and precipitation had significant effects on TC stocks in bivariate regression models. The RF model explained 86% of the variation; basal area interpreted 30.15%, followed by mean DBH (17.96%), disturbance complex (10.64%), precipitation (8.00%) and elevation (7.34%).ConclusionsKashmir Himalayan forests are significant carbon sinks as they store a substantial quantum of carbon in trees. Forest carbon, an essential climatic indicator, is determined by a complex interaction of other ecological variables, particularly stand structural features. The study provides insights into the role of these natural forests in climate change mitigation and in REDD+/national commitments to offset the carbon.

Increasing and widespread vulnerability of intact tropical rainforests to repeated droughts

Intact tropical rainforests have been exposed to severe droughts in recent decades, which may threaten their integrity, their ability to sequester carbon, and their capacity to provide shelter for biodiversity. However, their response to droughts remains uncertain due to limited high-quality, long-term observations covering extensive areas. Here, we examined how the upper canopy of intact tropical rainforests has responded to drought events globally and during the past 3 decades. By developing a long pantropical time series (1992 to 2018) of monthly radar satellite observations, we show that repeated droughts caused a sustained decline in radar signal in 93%, 84%, and 88% of intact tropical rainforests in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, respectively. Sudden decreases in radar signal were detected around the 1997-1998, 2005, 2010, and 2015 droughts in tropical Americas; 1999-2000, 2004-2005, 2010-2011, and 2015 droughts in tropical Africa; and 1997-1998, 2006, and 2015 droughts in tropical Asia. Rainforests showed similar low resistance (the ability to maintain predrought condition when drought occurs) to severe droughts across continents, but American rainforests consistently showed the lowest resilience (the ability to return to predrought condition after the drought event). Moreover, while the resistance of intact tropical rainforests to drought is decreasing, albeit weakly in tropical Africa and Asia, forest resilience has not increased significantly. Our results therefore suggest the capacity of intact rainforests to withstand future droughts is limited. This has negative implications for climate change mitigation through forest-based climate solutions and the associated pledges made by countries under the Paris Agreement.

Unravelling patterns of forest carbon stock along a wide elevational gradient in the Himalaya: Implications for climate change mitigation

In an era of climate change, quantifying forest biomass and carbon stock along elevational gradients in mountainous areas assumes immediate relevance for carbon budgeting and forest management. Here, we carried out extensive field studies to quantify the tree biomass and carbon stock of major forest types along a wide elevational gradient (350–3450 m) in Jammu and Kashmir, a region located in the northwestern Himalaya. We adopted a stratified random cluster sampling approach to generate ground-based data on structural variables (diameter at breast height-DBH, stem height, basal area, stem density, species richness), and quantified biomass and carbon stock volume using allometric equations in 12 major forest types in the region. We found a significant difference in all the tree structural variables among the forest types. Our results show a significantly positive correlation between DBH and height, but a significantly negative correlation of stem density with DBH and height. We observed a higher basal area in the forest types between 1750 and 3350 m elevation, with the highest value (104.4 ± 29.0) found in Fir forest. We also found higher stem density values at mid- and high-elevations in comparison to low-elevation, but the trend was inconsistent. To evaluate the influence of elevation on the structural attributes, we fitted a Linear Regression Model (LM) for each variable, followed by F-test. We observed a significant effect (p < 0.008) of elevation on all the forest tree structural variables, species richness, biomass and carbon stock. All these variables, except species richness, showed a positive relationship with elevation. We found the highest aboveground-, belowground-, total biomass, and carbon stock in the forest types at high elevation above 1750 m. The most significant tree species in terms of biomass and carbon stock contribution was Abies pindrow, followed by Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburghii, thus making them suitable tree species for forest conservation and restoration in this Himalayan region. Principal component analysis of anthropogenic disturbances revealed the fire mostly associated with the forest types dominated by P. roxburghii, stem cutting with those dominated by C. deodara, P. wallichiana and A. pindrow, and grazing with the high-elevation forest types. Overall, our study unravels the patterns of forest carbon stock along a wide elevational gradient in this Himalayan region, with immediate implications for climate change mitigation policy and practice in mountainous landscapes.