Tag

Co2

All articles tagged with #co2

Ancient ice records reveal stable greenhouse gas levels over 3 million years
science23 days ago

Ancient ice records reveal stable greenhouse gas levels over 3 million years

New shallow Allan Hills blue-ice cores extend greenhouse-gas records to about 3.1–0.5 million years ago. They show mean CH4 changing little over the period, with CO2 falling by ~20 ppm from 2.9 to 1.2 Ma and then staying stable within ±10 ppm through the mid‑Pleistocene Transition; respiration-corrected samples from 2.8–3.1 Ma yield CO2 of 250 ± 10 ppm, indistinguishable from the early Pleistocene. These results suggest long‑term stability of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 and demonstrate that ice-core gas measurements can be extended into the late Pliocene, providing snapshots of climate during a era of global cooling.

Earth’s moving green center points northeast as vegetation responds to climate and CO2
environment1 month ago

Earth’s moving green center points northeast as vegetation responds to climate and CO2

Decades of satellite observations show Earth's vegetation forms a moving balance point across continents and seasons, with the global center of greenery migrating northeast as climate change and higher CO2 reshape growing conditions. The shift is dominated by Northern Hemisphere vegetation, has accelerated since 2010, and is linked to longer growing seasons and land management in reliable water regions, while drought and heat can still slow growth. Researchers suggest tracking this moving center could help explain planetary vegetation patterns and improve climate and land-use models.

Dinosaurs Weathered Slow Warming; Humans Face Rapid Climate Change
science2 months ago

Dinosaurs Weathered Slow Warming; Humans Face Rapid Climate Change

The piece contrasts ancient Earth, where warming occurred over millions of years with high CO2 levels allowing life to adapt, with today’s rapid ~1°C increase in two centuries due to fossil-fuel emissions, a pace that outstrips ecosystems and infrastructure. While dinosaurs ultimately faced mass extinction after a sudden, asteroid-triggered climate disruption, the article argues that the current rapid change poses a distinct and escalating risk to human health, economies, and environments.

Scientists Excited by Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS and Its Mysteries
science7 months ago

Scientists Excited by Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS and Its Mysteries

Recent observations of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS by NASA's SPHEREx reveal a large CO2 cloud with no detectable water vapor, suggesting it may not be a water-rich comet as previously thought, and indicating a potentially large nucleus around 46 km in diameter. The findings challenge earlier claims and raise questions about the object's composition and origin.

"CO2 Prolongs Airborne Virus Survival"
science-and-health1 year ago

"CO2 Prolongs Airborne Virus Survival"

New research from the University of Bristol reveals that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor environments can significantly extend the lifespan of airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2, challenging long-held beliefs about CO2 as merely an indicator of poor ventilation. This discovery underscores the need for improved indoor air quality standards to mitigate the risk of viral transmission, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

"Carbon-Consuming Nanogenerator Produces Sustainable Electricity"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"Carbon-Consuming Nanogenerator Produces Sustainable Electricity"

Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a proof-of-concept nanogenerator that absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) to generate electricity. The nanogenerator consists of a polyamine gel and boron nitrate that generates positive and negative ions, creating a diffusion current that can be amplified into electricity. The technology has the potential to be used in portable devices like mobile phones and laptops, as well as in industrial CO2 capture processes to harvest electricity. This innovation aims to change the perception of CO2 from a problem to a valuable resource for the future.

"Ice Age Climate Analysis: Insights into Climate Change and CO₂ Impact"
climate-science2 years ago

"Ice Age Climate Analysis: Insights into Climate Change and CO₂ Impact"

A new study led by the University of Washington analyzes the last ice age to better understand the relationship between CO2 and global temperature. The research suggests that the worst-case scenario for future warming due to doubling of CO2 is less likely, reducing the estimate from 5 to 4 degrees Celsius. By examining the cooling effects of the North American ice sheet during the last glacial maximum, the study indicates that CO2 played a smaller role in setting ice age temperatures than previously estimated. This research provides more confident predictions for future warming and emphasizes the limitations of using recent decades as a predictor of future global warming.

"Revolutionary Research Unlocks CO₂ Conversion into Sustainable Fuel"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"Revolutionary Research Unlocks CO₂ Conversion into Sustainable Fuel"

Researchers have developed a material consisting of copper anchored on nanocrystalline carbon nitride, which, when exposed to sunlight, can efficiently convert CO2 into methanol, a green fuel. This breakthrough paves the way for creating sustainable fuels and reducing the impact of carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming. The new catalyst, made of abundant elements like carbon, nitrogen, and copper, demonstrates high efficiency and selectivity, offering a promising pathway for the development of highly tunable catalysts at the nanoscale for CO2 conversion.

"Carbon-Capturing Trees Struggle to Absorb Excess CO2, Emitting Instead"
environment2 years ago

"Carbon-Capturing Trees Struggle to Absorb Excess CO2, Emitting Instead"

Trees in warmer, drier climates are struggling to absorb excess CO2 and are instead releasing it back into the atmosphere, a process known as photorespiration. This subverts the belief that trees can help reduce carbon emissions, and as global warming increases, the ability of trees to absorb CO2 is expected to decrease significantly. Researchers found that in hotter climates, trees are releasing up to two times more CO2, and any climate exceeding average daytime temperatures of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit experiences this effect. This discovery raises concerns about the future impact of climate change on the planet's ability to mitigate CO2 levels.

"Exploring Celestial Influences on Climate Change Beyond CO2"
environment-and-science2 years ago

"Exploring Celestial Influences on Climate Change Beyond CO2"

Climate expert Willie Soon challenges the mainstream scientific consensus on climate change, arguing that changes in the sun's energy output, rather than rising carbon dioxide levels, are the primary driver of Earth's climate shifts. Soon, associated with The Heritage Foundation, emphasizes the importance of data over belief in science and discusses the sun's role in historical climate cycles. His views are part of a podcast series by The Daily Signal, where he seeks to correct what he sees as misconceptions about the causes of climate change.

"CO2's Impact on Aging: Earth's Fortunate Discovery"
science2 years ago

"CO2's Impact on Aging: Earth's Fortunate Discovery"

Earth's good fortune in having a warm climate and supporting life is attributed to plate tectonics, which allows for the recycling of carbon dioxide through volcanic eruptions. Unlike Mars, Earth's internal heat sustains the plasticity of its mantle, enabling the movement of continents and the continuous release of CO2 into the atmosphere. This carbonate-silicate cycle maintains Earth's greenhouse effect, preventing the planet from freezing and supporting the existence of liquid water and diverse life forms.

Exploring the Depths of Petit-Spot Volcanoes and Their Hydrothermal Activity
science2 years ago

Exploring the Depths of Petit-Spot Volcanoes and Their Hydrothermal Activity

Research from Waseda University has found that petit-spot volcanoes on the ocean floor contribute significantly to marine biogeochemical cycles, including the carbon cycle, due to their release of CO2 and methane-enriched alkaline magma. The study of a petit-spot volcano in the Japan Trench revealed it as the deepest known hydrothermal site, with iron and manganese oxides identified as evidence of hydrothermal activity. These findings highlight the need for further study of these underwater volcanoes.

Challenges of CO2 to Fuel Conversion.
science-and-technology2 years ago

Challenges of CO2 to Fuel Conversion.

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie are working on the clogging problem in CO2 electrolysis, which can convert the greenhouse gas into useful hydrocarbons. The process requires energy, water, suitable electrodes and special catalysts. The team is using a "zero-gap" electrolysis cell, which is particularly suitable for industrial processes, but the cathodes clog up quickly due to potassium crystals. The researchers are studying the process of crystal formation at the cathode in detail and plan to use X-rays to find out how ion migration in the cell affects the chemical reaction processes.