Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Improving Human Diets and Welfare through Using Herbivore-Based Foods: 2. Environmental Consequences and Mitigations.

Animal-sourced foods are important for human nutrition and health, but they can have a negative impact on the environment. These impacts can result in land use tensions associated with population growth and the loss of native forests and wetlands during agricultural expansion. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, and high water use but poor water quality outcomes can also be associated. Life cycle analysis from cradle-to-distribution has shown that novel plant-based meat alternatives can have an environmental footprint lower than that of beef finished in feedlots, but higher than for beef raised on well-managed grazed pastures. However, several technologies and practices can be used to mitigate impacts. These include ensuring that grazing occurs when feed quality is high, the use of dietary additives, breeding of animals with higher growth rates and increased fecundity, rumen microbial manipulations through the use of vaccines, soil management to reduce nitrous oxide emission, management systems to improve carbon sequestration, improved nutrient use efficacy throughout the food chain, incorporating maize silage along with grasslands, use of cover crops, low-emission composting barns, covered manure storages, and direct injection of animal slurry into soil. The technologies and systems that help mitigate or actually provide solutions to the environmental impact are under constant refinement to enable ever-more efficient production systems to allow for the provision of animal-sourced foods to an ever-increasing population.

Simulation-Based Exploration with Energyplus as an Energy Efficiency Strategy

In countries with tropical or subtropical climates, such as Indonesia, the use of air conditioning is becoming increasingly important for comfort and productivity. However, high energy use in air conditioning systems has significant environmental and economic impacts, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and high operational costs. This research aims to analyze the Energy Consumption Index (ECI) in the Joint Lecture Building, State University of Malang using EnergyPlus software simulation. Research data consists of building data, weather data, building construction data, operating schedules, equipment specifications, and energy usage data. Furthermore, the data analysis technique used ECI calculations based on EnergyPlus software simulation. The research results show that based on the Energy Consumption Index value it is 201,943 kWh/m2/year, but with a savings scenario it becomes 161,964 kWh/m2/year (an increase of 19,797%) so it is classified as efficient. The energy-saving scenario implemented is to replace the Constant Air Volume (CAV) air conditioning system with Variable Air Volume (VAV) and the types of luminaires that were originally fluorescent will be replaced with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The comparison results obtained an energy-saving value of 19,797%. The research results show that using VAV and LEDs technology can increase energy efficiency in the Joint Lecture Building, State University of Malang. The scenario attempts to reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency in commercial buildings and shows that the EnergyPlus simulation method is an effective approach for designing energy savings strategies.

Analysis of Interactions among Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Carbon Sinks, and Food Security in China’s Agricultural Systems

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing the size of carbon sinks are closely related to food security in agricultural systems. This study conducted an in-depth data analysis of previous studies to explore the dynamic causal relationships among the reduction of emissions, carbon sink increases, and food security in agricultural systems. The fixed-effect regression model, causality tests, PVAR model, impulse response functions, and variance decomposition were used to explore correlations among the three variables. The results show that the national average carbon sinks surged from 2662.194 Mg in 2000 to 4010.613 Mg in 2020, with the food security index concurrently climbing from 0.198 to 0.308. Moreover, GHG emissions exhibited a negative growth rate from 2016 onwards, yet the 2020 mean remained 142.625 Mg above the 2000 baseline. The agricultural “three subsidies” reform has not directly promoted food security, but significantly inhibited GHG emissions. However, conflicts exist between emissions reduction and carbon sinks increase in agricultural systems and food security. At the whole level, changes in carbon sinks only have a positive effect on the increase in GHG emissions, whereas changes in GHG emissions have a positive effect on both carbon sinks and food security. Changes in food security strongly inhibit the increase in carbon sinks. This relationship varies among distinct grain functional zones. Policy objectives should be coordinated, target thresholds set, and policies classified according to different functional orientations, to achieve a win–win situation for food supply and low-carbon development.

Severe flood modulates the sources and age of dissolved organic carbon in the Yangtze River Estuary

Floods in global large rivers modulate the transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and estuarine hydrological characteristics significantly. This study investigated the impact of a severe flood on the sources and age of DOC in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) in 2020. Comparing the flood period in 2020 to the non-flood period in 2017, we found that the flood enhanced the transport of young DOC to the East China Sea (ECS), resulting in significantly enriched Δ14C-DOC values. During the flood period, the proportion of modern terrestrial organic carbon (OC) was significantly higher compared to the non-flood period. Conversely, the proportion of pre-aged sediment OC was significantly lower during the flood period. The high turbidity associated with the flood facilitated rapid transformation and mineralization of sedimentary and fresh terrestrial OC, modifying the sources of DOC. The flux of modern terrestrial OC transported to the ECS during the flood period was 1.58 times higher than that of the non-flood period. These findings suggest that floods can modulate the sources and decrease the age of DOC, potentially leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Further research is needed to understand the long-term impacts of floods on DOC dynamics in global estuaries.

Organic Fertilizers and Bio-Waste for Sustainable Soil Management to Support Crops and Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Review

Agriculture is facing several challenges related to its sustainability. In this regard, the need to reduce its environmental impact related to the use of synthetic inputs and its potential role in mitigating global warming and climate change call for a review of crop management. In this context, and in the framework of achieving sustainable development goals, the use of organic fertilizers and bio-waste represents a valuable contribution to the agricultural transition towards a bioeconomy model by reducing the negative impacts of waste disposal. Farmyard manure, composts, digestate from agrifood processes, and biochar are, among organic fertilizers, commonly used to manage soils and support crop growth. These fertilizers can provide essential nutrients, improve structure, and enhance microbial activity, thus increasing soil fertility and agriculture sustainability. While organic fertilizers offer the benefits of soil fertility and plant nutrition, their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is complex and varies depending on factors such as fertilizer type, soil conditions, and management practices. Although organic fertilizers may initially increase GHG emissions, they often lead to carbon sequestration in soils highlighting a negative C balance. Additionally, organic fertilizers promote a reduction in fossil fuel consumption used for synthetic fertilizer production, further contributing to GHG emissions’ reduction. Therefore, while organic fertilizers pose challenges in managing GHG emissions, their various benefits warrant careful consideration and strategic implementation in agricultural systems.

A Review on the Relationship of Climate Variability and Extremes with Crop Production

Risks are always present in agriculture for a variety of reasons. Climate-related risks are the most significant among them since they can occur unexpectedly and cannot be avoided. The main climatic factors influencing crop productivity are rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and rising atmospheric CO2. The average global temperature is expected to rise by 2oC until 2100, which would result in significant global economic losses. The average global temperature is currently rising steadily. The concentration of CO2, which makes up a large amount of greenhouse gases, is rising alarmingly. Climate change, with rising temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions, impacts agriculture significantly, leading to varied crop yields and potentially catastrophic economic consequences. While some regions may experience favorable effects, overall, climate variability poses challenges such as reduced crop productivity, increased pest activity, and elevated food costs, particularly affecting underdeveloped nations. Environmental policies must be adaptable and flexible to mitigate these impacts effectively. Farmers' responses to climate change, influenced by perceptions and data accessibility, drive both mitigation and adaptation efforts. Sustainable agriculture, conservation practices, and technological innovations play key roles in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing resilience in farming communities, though success depends on multiple factors including local perceptions, technical feasibility, and economic viability. This paper reviews the causes of climate change, the climate variables affecting crop production and the mitigation and adaptation strategies against climate change.

A Review of the Use of Hydrogen in Compression Ignition Engines with Dual-Fuel Technology and Techniques for Reducing NOx Emissions

The use of compression ignition engines (CIEs) is associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions. It is therefore necessary to research sustainable solutions and reduce the negative environmental impact of these engines. A widely studied alternative is the use of H2 in dual-fuel mode. This review has been developed to include the most recent studies on the subject to collect and compare their main conclusions on performance and emissions. Moreover, this study includes most relevant emission control strategies that have not been extensively analyzed in other reviews on the subject. The main conclusion drawn from the literature is the negative effect of the addition of H2 on NOx. This is due to the increase in temperature during combustion, which increases NOx formation, as the thermal mechanism predominates. Therefore, to reduce these emissions, three strategies have been studied, namely exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), water injection (WI), and compression ratio (CR) reduction. The effect of these techniques on NOx reduction, together with their effect on other analyzed performance parameters, have been deeply analyzed. The studies reviewed in this work indicate that hydrogen is an alternative fuel for CIEs when used in conjunction with techniques that have proven to be effective in reducing NOx.

Assessment of the Effect of Neem Plant Products on House Mosquito Repellency: A Case Study of Burera and Gicumbi Districts

Insect pests, diseases, and weeds are interlinked and complement each other. Mosquito bites constitute a nuisance to man and his environment. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria parasites, Aedes aegygti mosquitoes are known to transmit yellow fever and dengue fever. Therefore, the present study seeks to assess the effect of neem plant products on house mosquito repelling. A case study of Burera, and Gicumbi Districts. A cross-section sampling technique was used in this study. Six respondents were selected from each category to make a sixth (60) respondent sample size. The results of this study indicated that neem oil, neem leaves, and neem smoke were most effective for repelling mosquitoes respectively at (p <0.01). There was a statistically significant difference between the various neem products repelling mosquito bites (Number of observations 60; P-Value < 0.0001, and R<sup>2</sup> of 0.833). The finding of this study also indicated that using neem plant products to repel mosquitoes should increase neem plant product value, reduce costs of chemical insecticides, increase mosquito repellency, reduce disease vectors, increase the use of biological control, control mosquito bites, reduce the death of children under five years, and increase research studies. The high need for support for increasing research on eco-friendly techniques and strategies should be enhanced as well as reducing chemical pesticide use which increases Greenhouse gas emissions and reduction of pollinators.

Projected climate‐driven shifts in coral distribution indicate tropicalisation of Southwestern Atlantic reefs

AbstractAimPredicting and acting on the future of ecosystems requires understanding species distribution shifts due to climate change. We investigated which corals are more likely to shift their distribution in the Southwestern Atlantic under a warming scenario.LocationSouthwestern Atlantic (SWA; 1° N–28° S).MethodsWe used spatial distribution models with a Bayesian approach to predict the current and future (2050 and 2100) coral occurrence probabilities of 12 zooxanthellate corals and hydrocorals under an intermediate scenario of increasing greenhouse gas emissions (RCP6.0) projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).ResultsWe found a decline in the occurrence probabilities of all 12 taxa within the tropics (1° N–20° S) and an increase towards subtropical sites (20–28° S) as early as 2050. The most significant declines are projected to occur between 9° S and 20° S, a region that currently hosts the richest reef complex in the South Atlantic, the Abrolhos bank. The imminent loss of suitable habitat in the tropics mostly threatens the Brazilian endemics and range restricted corals Mussismilia braziliensis and Mussismilia harttii, while more widely distributed taxa such as Siderastrea spp., Millepora spp. and Porites spp. are expected to expand their ranges southwards.Main ConclusionsThe projected declines in the tropical region are likely to reduce structural complexity causing biodiversity loss. The overall increase in occurrence probabilities in subtropical areas indicates tropicalisation of SWA reefs, which may benefit species already established in these areas and potentially enrich coral assemblages through the range expansion of taxa that currently do not occur in the region. These findings emphasise the need to support ecological corridors that could aid coral migration towards more suitable habitats under climate change.

Life cycle thinking-based analysis of diesel and electric-powered buses for Canadian transit systems

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the conventional fleet of diesel buses has made Canadian transit agencies explore low-emission alternative fuels. Despite electric buses showing great potential to reduce emissions during their operational phase, the transformation from diesel buses to electric buses would require in-depth analysis pertaining to their economic and social implications. Published literature highlights the importance of developing a comprehensive framework that considers multiple decision parameters over a life cycle perspective for analyzing different fuel options to replace the existing fleet of diesel buses. This paper assesses the triple-bottom-line sustainability of diesel and electric buses in different regions of Canada. Moreover, a framework is proposed to incorporate multiple decision criteria (life cycle environmental, economic, and social impacts) over different perspectives to make the best decisions for transitioning the diesel bus fleet. The results showed that the environmental performance of electric buses highly depended on the electricity grid mix. Despite diesel buses having a low cost of production compared to electric buses, most provinces showed a low life cycle operational cost for electric buses. Electric buses’ life cycle social impacts are high during their production stage, whereas diesel buses have the highest social impacts during their operational phase. Overall, electric buses have a high sustainability performance in all provinces and territories in Canada except Nunavut. The proposed framework and findings can aid policymakers and planners in implementing electric buses for public transit systems in Canada and beyond.

The Application of Porous Organic Polymers as Metal Free Photocatalysts in Organic Synthesis.

Concerns about increasing greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on our environment highlight the urgent need for new sustainable technologies. Visible light photocatalysis allows the clean and selective generation of reactive intermediates under mild conditions. The more widespread adoption of the current generation of photocatalysts, particularly those using precious metals, is hampered by drawbacks such as their cost, toxicity, difficult separation, and limited recyclability. This is driving the search for alternatives, such as porous organic polymers (POPs). This new class of materials is made entirely from organic building blocks, can possess high surface area and stability, and has a controllable composition and functionality. This review focuses on the application of POPs as photocatalysts in organic synthesis. For each reaction type, a representative material is discussed, with special attention to the mechanism of the reaction. Additionally, an overview is given, comparing POPs with other classes of photocatalysts, and critical conclusions and future perspectives are provided on this important field.

Influence of the Depth of Nitrogen-Phosphorus Fertilizer Placement in Soil on Maize Yielding and Carbon Footprint in the Loess Plateau of China

Deep fertilization is a beneficial approach for reducing nitrogen losses. However, the effects of various fertilization depths on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity and environmental footprints have not been thoroughly understood. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different fertilization depths of 5 cm (D5), 15 cm (D15), 25 cm (D25), and 35 cm (D35) on maize productivity and environmental footprints. Reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were assessed using life cycle analysis. We hypothesized that deep fertilization can obtain lower carbon and nitrogen footprint. The results indicated that deep fertilization decreased the N2O and NH3 emissions while increasing the CH4 uptake. Compared with D5, D15 resulted in an increase in total GHG emissions and carbon footprint (CF), whereas D25 decreased by 13.0% and 23.6%, respectively. Compared with D5, the Nr losses under D15, D25, and D35 conditions was reduced by 11.3%, 17.3%, and 21.0%, respectively, and the nitrogen footprint (NF) was reduced by 16.0%, 27.4%, and 19.0%, respectively. The maize yield under D15 and D25 increased by 5.7% and 13.8%, respectively, compared with the D5 treatment, and the net economic benefits of the ecosystem increased by 7.1% and 17.1%, respectively. In summary, applying fertilizer at a depth of 25 cm can significantly reduce the environmental footprints and increase maize productivity, making it an effective fertilization strategy in the Loess Plateau region of China.

Impact of environmental policy stringency on sectoral GHG emissions: evidence from Finland and Sweden by nonlinear quantile-based methods

ABSTRACT The growing societal concern regarding environmental matters has led to the implementation of many environmental measures intended to protect the environment and address global warming by lessening emissions and mitigating climate change. In line with this movement, this study scrutinizes the impact of these environmental measures on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to analyze the cases of Finland and Sweden. More specifically, the study employs the Environmental Policy Stringency (EPS) index as a proxy for environmental measures, explores sector-specific GHG emissions by employing nonlinear quantile-based methodologies (including quantile-on-quantile regression and Granger causality-in-quantiles methods as the primary model and quantile regression for robustness checking) spanning the period from 1991/Q1 to 2020/Q4. The findings show that: (i) EPS lessens GHG emissions from fuel exploitation, industrial combustion, and the power industry sector at lower and middle quantiles in Finland and Sweden; (ii) EPS decreases GHG emissions from processes, transportation, and waste sectors in Finland but increases them in Sweden at higher quantiles; (iii) EPS leads to an increase in GHG emissions from the agriculture and construction sectors at higher quantiles; (iv) EPS has a causal effect on sector-specific GHG emissions across different quantiles; (v) the robustness of the findings is largely confirmed. Hence, the study underscores the varying impacts of EPS on sectoral GHG emissions based on quantiles, sectors, and countries, emphasizing the need for policymakers to adopt environmental policies to comprise these differences and adjust the policy framework accordingly.

Sustainability in dentistry part II: Sustainability and the use of chemicals in dentistry

The world is now in an existential ecological crisis. Our deleterious and unsustainable impact on the planet has, among other things, increased greenhouse gas emissions, with further injury from plastics and other waste in the environment. The evidence for an accelerating biodiversity crisis and serious soil degradation in many parts of the world is irrefutable. The pandemic risk to our species and our planet is not if, but when. We have to change the way we organise society in order to make the future sustainable for all species. Worldwide health systems are a significant contributor to environmental damage. The first article in this series discussed general aspects of sustainability in general practice, and this second article examines the use of chemicals in practice.

Effect of banana tree leaves ash as cementitious material on the durability of concrete against sulphate and acid attacks

The construction industry's rapid growth poses challenges tied to raw material depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, alternative materials like agricultural residues are gaining prominence due to their potential to reduce carbon emissions and waste generation. In this context this research optimizes the use of banana leaves ash as a partial cement substitution, focusing on durability, and identifying the ideal cement-to-ash ratio for sustainable concrete. For this purpose, concrete mixes were prepared with BLA replacing cement partially in different proportions i.e. (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, & 20 %) and were analyzed for their physical, mechanical and Durability (Acid and Sulphate resistance) properties. Compressive strength, acid resistance and sulphate resistance testing continued for 90 days with the intervals of 7, 28 and 90 days. The results revealed that up to 10 % incorporation of BLA improved compressive strength by 10 %, while higher BLA proportions (up to 20 %) displayed superior performance in durability tests as compared to the conventional mix. The results reveal the potentials of banana leave ash to refine the concrete matrix by formation of addition C–S–H gel which leads towards a better performance specially in terms of durability aspect. Hence, banana leaf ash (BLA) is an efficient concrete ingredient, particularly up to 10 % of the mix. Beyond this threshold, it's still suitable for applications where extreme strength isn't the primary concern, because there may be a slight reduction in compressive strength.

On the energy impact of cool roofs in Dubai

Urban warming can significantly increase the energy demand for building cooling. As temperatures rise, buildings require additional energy for air conditioning, which can lead to higher electricity demand and increased greenhouse gas emissions. This can create a positive feedback loop, as increased energy demand leads to increased waste heat and further exacerbates the urban warming effect. To solve this issue, this study integrates high-resolution meteorological data from the Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with Single Layer Urban Canopy Model (WRF/SLUCM) into CitySim for the first time to evaluate the building energy demands at various building types in Dubai metropolis. Examining how cool materials reduced cooling loads was achievable utilizing modified albedo in Dubai's downtown buildings. An increase of urban albedo from 0.2 to 0.8 significantly lowers the urban heating effect, as well as the building cooling needs. The study shows that for albedo scenario 0.8, Low-rise residential buildings experienced cooling load reductions of about 13.1 kWh/m2 and 6 kWh/m2 for buildings without insulation and those with insulation, respectively, compared to the base case. Additionally, high-rise residential buildings saw cooling load reductions ranging from 7.7 kWh/m2 to 11.7 kWh/m2 for buildings without insulation and a cooling load reduction of 3.6 kWh/m2 to 5.4 kWh/m2 for insulated buildings. This study provides a tool for regulating the energy impact of cool roofs in different urban settings using energy simulation, which could help policymakers control the energy needs in subtropical desert urban environments.

Potential Torrefaction of Tropical Forest Fruits Waste

Biomass torrefaction can improve the quality of raw biomass as fuel. Tropical forest fruit waste that is not managed properly will become waste that contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Conversion of tropical forest fruit waste into biomass fuel by torrefaction can be used as coal co-firing. In this research, torrefaction was carried out on the biomass from the cocoa pod shell, coffee husks, and mangosteen pod shell. The samples used in this study came from tropical forest fruits in Lampung Province. Samples were chopped and dried using the hot sun. The samples were then torrefied in a tubular reactor at temperatures of 250, 275, and 300°C and their calorific values were tested. Torrefaction at 275°C has increased the calorific value of tropical forest fruit waste to exceed the calorific value of sub-bituminous A. Torrefaction of tropical forest fruit waste has the potential to be used as fuel for co-firing coal in power plants. Thus, it can indirectly reduce the rate of CO2 emissions from power generation and waste accumulation. In addition, it also has the potential to become a competitive sustainable export commodity.

Aeroponics vertical indoor farming

Aeroponics vertical indoor farming is a farming that involves growing crops in layers that are piled vertically. Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Vertical indoor farming is climate controlled so it can be done year-round regardless of environmental challenges. Emerging problems of food security, urbanization, farmland shortage, food miles increased greenhouse gas emissions focus on the need for vertical farming physiological constraints that occur within hydroponic systems. Today, agriculture especially in India to concentrate in some situation such as how to increase the productivity and profit. This paper presents a methodology for developing the plants are submerged in a nutrient-rich mist solution. This study challenges is cultivating the plant by organic farming natural nutrition.

Comparative evaluation of Artificial intelligence based models and kinetic studies in the prediction of biogas from anaerobic digestion of MSW

The generation of biogas from the decomposition of MSW increases greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. However, the produced biogas can be effectively captured for conversion into a renewable energy resource. This study demonstrates the utility of artificial neural networks (ANN), adaptive network-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS), and kinetic models in predicting biogas production from the anaerobic digestion of MSW. The digestion time, volatile solids, pH, temperature, and moisture content were selected as the independent variables. Furthermore, kinetic studies were conducted to predict the biogas yield using First-order, modified Gompertz, Logistic, and Transference models. To assess the efficacy of these models, their performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Upon comparing the results, it was evident that for set IX under 100 % field capacity (FC), the ANFIS network exhibited superior performance with RMSE and R2 values of 0.670 and 0.999, respectively. In comparison, the ANN and modified Gompertz models yielded RMSE values of 0.863 and 21.705, and R2 values of 0.999 and 0.998, respectively. While the coefficient of determination (R2 ≥ 0.99) suggested satisfactory agreement between all the models and experimental data, the ANFIS and ANN models achieved notably lower RMSE values, demonstrating their competitive performance.

Energy Management Strategy for DC Micro-Grid System with the Important Penetration of Renewable Energy

This paper presents an energy management strategy using a Stateflow controller related to DC microgrids with the important penetration of renewable energy. The increase in world electricity demand is one of the principal drivers of the exhaustion of fossil fuels and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To solve these problems, several countries have adopted actions for widespread renewable energy deployment, which includes wind energy, solar power, biomass power, tidal, and hydropower. These sources are considered as significant in delivering clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for sustainable improvement. As these sources play an increasingly vital role in the global energy landscape, the efficient management of these intermittent sources is essential for grid stability and sustainability. This paper aimed to develop an energy management strategy for DC microgrids to supply power to a DC microgrid system. The main objective of this paper was to implement an energy management system to ensure the proper operation of DC microgrid systems utilizing Simulink blocks available in MATLAB/Simulink 2020b software. The simulation results demonstrated that the developed energy management algorithm was unconditionally reliable, ensuring the proper operation of the microgrid systems. Additionally, the results demonstrated that the energy management strategy exhibited robust performance across different scenarios, effectively balancing energy generation and consumption while ensuring the reliable operation of the microgrid system. Moreover, the developed algorithm model presents another advantage, as it enables users to access and to change any control parameters within the DC microgrid. By comparing these results with the literature, the developed energy management algorithm provides safety and the automatic control of the microgrid.