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Archive by Theme: Climate change and energy

Period: 2011

New bubble-based technique for leak detection at CCS offshore sites	22/12/11
Better methods are needed to monitor underwater gas leaks. A new study outlines a technique that uses sound to detect bubbles of escaped gas and could help produce more accurate measurements of gas leakage rates from carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites, pipelines and natural leakage sites.
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Scientists assess environmental impacts of bioenergy for transport	22/12/11
Converting algae into bioenergy is one option being considered to meet future demand for transport energy. However, a recent study suggests that some combinations of cultivation processes and conversion technologies for algae-derived energy consume more energy than is produced, although water use and greenhouse gas emissions are lower for the most promising options compared with bioenergy sourced from switchgrass and canola.
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Forest density is increasing	22/12/11
The increased density of forests has been responsible for substantially increasing sequestered carbon in Europe and North America over the past 20 years, according to a recent study. The researchers suggest that managing forests for increased density offers one means of increasing carbon stocks.
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Soil water repellancy could change soil's ability to sequester carbon	22/12/11
Extreme events, such as droughts and prolonged dry spells, under climate change could increase the water repellency of soils, according to a recent study. In the long-term, this could reduce the capacity of soils to sequester carbon.
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Light-duty vehicles exceed EU emissions limits during on-road driving	15/12/11
The nitrogen dioxides (NO_x) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of some light-duty petrol and diesel vehicles are higher during on-road driving than during standard laboratory tests, according to a new study. This means that in normal on-road driving, light-duty vehicles, which include passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, may exceed European emissions limits and could be having a greater impact on urban air quality than previously thought.
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Leaked hydrogen fuel could have small negative effects on atmosphere	15/12/11
Using hydrogen as an energy carrier can help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fossil fuels, according to recent research. However, if used on a large-scale, it is important that hydrogen does not leak significantly into the atmosphere as it might have some negative environmental effects, such as increasing the lifetime of methane, increasing climate effects and causing some depletion of the ozone layer.
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Thawing permafrost could lead to higher carbon emissions	1/12/11
Permafrost and wetlands in high latitudes could switch from carbon sink to carbon source by the end of the century, according to a recent study. Using a model of terrestrial ecosystems that showed how carbon is stored and released in soils at high latitudes, researchers revealed that climate change could cause these soils to release much more carbon than previously predicted.
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Tectonic movements in Torres Islands may raise regional sea-levels	24/11/11
Satellite data from the Torres Islands in the southwest Pacific suggest that rising sea-levels in the region widely attributed to climate change is also partly caused by sinking of the islands following earthquakes in the 1990s, according to recent research.
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'Carbon spike' caused by construction is considerable	24/11/11
The greenhouse gas emissions from the construction of new houses are so high that they exceed the emissions from three decades of use, a Finnish study has found. The research is based on houses complying with recently introduced, energy efficient building regulations. According to the authors, as buildings become more efficient this 'carbon spike' associated with construction is more important than has been suggested by previous studies.
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Waste control to boost GHG reduction targets	17/11/11
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal waste in Europe could be reduced by 62 million tonnes, or 1.23% of total emissions in 2008, by 2020 if the diversion targets of the EU Landfill Directive are fully met, according to a recent report. This could be largely achieved through reducing methane emissions from landfill and increased recycling levels.
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Water for microalgae cultivation has significant energy requirements	17/11/11
A substantial amount of energy is needed to manage all the water used in the mass cultivation of microalgae for biodiesel. A recent study suggests that seven times more energy is required to manage the water, than is delivered by the biodiesel when it is used as fuel.
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Emissions from tropical deforestation neutralise large carbon sink	10/11/11
A new study suggests that, although the global terrestrial carbon sink remained relatively stable from 1990 to 2007, the effects of tropical forests were virtually neutral because CO2 emissions from deforestation offset their carbon sink.
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Wind power reduces environmental impacts of desalination plants	10/11/11
Desalination plants, powered by wind energy, offer the potential to produce freshwater using a renewable source of energy. A recent study has explored some of the challenges of integrating wind energy with desalination units, and suggests combining wind with other forms of renewable energy, or constructing a system that operates with variable energy input would help overcome problems with wind powered desalination.
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High atmospheric CO2 levels stimulate GHG emissions from soil	10/11/11
Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is likely to cause some soils to release large quantities of two potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), nitrous oxide and methane, according to a recent analysis. The results suggest that the contribution of soils and terrestrial ecosystems to slow climate change has been overestimated.
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Natural fertilisation of sea hints at effects of geoengineering projects	20/10/11
New research investigating the effects of naturally occurring iron fertilisation in the sea suggests that large scale geoengineering projects designed to sequester carbon in the deep sea could have a dramatic impact on marine ecosystems. The study found that the organic matter arriving at the sea floor and the species that live there are very different, depending on whether waters are fertilised by iron leached from nearby islands or not.
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Otters' conservation reveals need to adapt to climate change	20/10/11
There is a need for conservation strategies to consider the changing factors that threaten endangered species, such as climate change. Focusing on the European otter, new research has indicated that climate change will change this important freshwater species' distribution, which may mean that existing conservation areas no longer offer protection.
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Innovative ways to reduce CO₂ emissions from the cement industry	20/10/11
Technological advances in European cement production could reduce energy consumption by up to 10% and CO₂ emissions by 4%, according to a new analysis. The research suggests that initial costs of some of the pending technological improvements could be recouped in as little as a year.
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Urban vegetation could be an undervalued carbon sink	14/10/11
Urban vegetation could have been overlooked as valuable above-ground carbon storage, according to researchers. They estimated that 231,521 tonnes of carbon were stored in above-ground vegetation in a UK city, the majority of which (97 per cent) in trees. This was 10 times the amount estimated from national figures for the same city area.
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Is climate change increasing viral disease in farm animals?	7/10/11
Since 1998, there have been increasing outbreaks of the viral disease Bluetongue among European livestock. Using a newly developed climate-based model that accurately predicts past outbreaks, researchers have provided evidence that climate change is a major driver of these outbreaks.
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Broader behavioural focus needed to mitigate climate change	7/10/11
Policy efforts have focused on modifying individual behaviour as one strategy to address climate change. However, this has been met with limited success and a new UK study suggests that policies to encourage behaviour change need to operate on multiple levels and that there is a need for greater co-ordination between individuals, governments, businesses and communities.
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A new approach to urban adaptation: upgrading resilience	7/10/11
Adaptation to climate change in urban regions is a major policy concern. Rather than focus specifically on risk reduction, a new report has reframed the adaptation challenge, giving it a broader focus of increasing an area's resilience and performance and proposing local-level approaches to leveraging finance for adaptation initiatives.
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Carbon labels on groceries need simplifying for consumers	5/10/11
New research in the UK indicates that the public find carbon labels on grocery products difficult to understand. The study recommends that carbon label authorisation procedures should require producers to commit to continually reduce emissions, as otherwise consumers may wrongly assume that this is signified by the label.
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Global Carbon Footprints account for international emissions	5/10/11
Product carbon footprinting (PCF) methods should account for international supply chains, according to a new Japanese study. The researchers used an 'input-output' analysis to develop Global Carbon Footprints for a range of food and drink products and suggest that this approach can help guide data-collection and calculations for PCF.
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Carbon footprinting methods need greater harmonisation	5/10/11
The wide range of methods used to calculate carbon footprints can cause confusion among consumers and stakeholders. A new report has analysed existing methods and suggested that the EU needs to provide continuing support to harmonise these methods, for example, by promoting a global framework.
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New public-private partnerships will achieve a green economy	23/9/11
A new report highlights the connections between climate change risks and opportunities, sustainable development and climate change adaptation, to provide a useful guidance for business and policymakers in creating a green economy. It suggests that businesses are an essential partner in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change.
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'Self-fuelling' method could reduce GHGs from oil shale	23/9/11
A potential method for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with extracting energy from oil shale has been highlighted by a recent study. A 'self-fuelling' method that recycles waste gas could cut GHGs emissions by 50% compared to the conventional oil shale product and 70% compared to crude oil.
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GHG emissions from shale greater than conventional gas, coal or oil	1/9/11
Over a 20-year time period, the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of shale gas is greater than that of coal, oil or conventional gas, according to a recent study. Methane emissions make up most of this footprint. This suggests that substituting conventional fossil fuels with shale gas may not have the desired effect to mitigate climate warming in the short-term.
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Energy policy should consider health implications	28/7/11
New research has investigated the complex relationship between energy consumption and public health, by analysing historical data from around the world. It indicates that electricity does not provide additional health benefits for countries with low levels of infant mortality, and that increased coal consumption has negative health impacts.
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Three-quarters of world's energy supply could be renewable by 2050	28/7/11
Renewable technologies could supply 77 per cent of the world demand for energy by 2050, according to a report recently published by the IPCC. However, strong and flexible national and international policies are needed to stimulate investment and encourage accelerated use of renewable energy. The most pessimistic scenarios see the renewables share remaining almost static until mid-century.
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Climate change impacts not yet detectable in river flow data	14/7/11
A new study suggests that annual maximum peak discharge data in central Europe over the last century contain no detectable signs of climate change. Human activity, such as hydro-electric schemes, land use changes or river course alterations, which may form part of climate change adaptation in many policy areas, have until now had greater impact on peak discharge than climate change itself.
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Shale gas extraction linked to water contamination	14/7/11
A new study suggests shale gas extraction leads to methane contamination of underground water sources and calls for thorough surveys of methane levels at extraction sites. The study presents a timely insight into a relatively under-researched area of science that will help support decisions on the future of shale gas exploration.
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Hidden carbon emissions from trade offsets impacts of reforestation	14/7/11
Countries that appear to have reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through reforestation may have simply "displaced" the emissions to another country, by increasing their imports of food, timber and wood. A new EU study highlights the need to recognise this 'loophole' in ongoing emission targets.
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Five ethical principles to guide biofuels policy	7/7/11
A new report on biofuels by the UK's Nuffield Council on Bioethics has produced a set of five ethical principles to guide the development of biofuels technology and policy. It recommends applying these principles to create comprehensive standards to ensure that biofuels address, rather than exacerbate, global problems.
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Reinforced concrete more liable to damage under climate change	30/6/11
Higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and temperatures under climate change are likely to increase the rate of corrosive damage in reinforced concrete structures, according to a recent study. This could result in costly repairs in the future, unless structures are suitably adapted.
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Precautionary principle should be applied to shale gas	30/6/11
According to UK researchers, caution must be taken in the use of shale gas until more is known about its environmental impacts. Using US data, they estimated the additional emissions associated with the extraction of gas from shale compared to that of conventional sources and highlighted concerns from the US that extraction could bring significant risks of ground and surface water contamination.
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The mega-heat wave of 2010 – implications for the future	23/6/11
New research has compared the hot summers of 2003 and 2010 in Europe. The results indicate that the extreme temperatures in 2010 affected an area that was about twice as large as the area affected in 2003. Climate change projections for Eastern and Western Europe suggest that such mega-heat waves will become more frequent in the upcoming decades.
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Recent evidence on climate change risks for African agriculture	20/6/11
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that African agriculture and food security would face major risks under the influence of climate change. With an analysis of more recent assessments, scientists have confirmed this projection and indicated that agriculture everywhere in Africa runs some risk of negative impacts from climate change.
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Poor energy use is chemical industry's top environmental issue	9/6/11
A new study suggests that the energy sources used in chemical production contribute significantly to environmental damage in developed countries. The researchers recommend increasing the efficient use of heat and electricity, in addition to reducing direct emissions of harmful pollutants, to dramatically improve the environmental impact of the chemical industry.
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Cities tackling climate change: a new strategy for mitigation	1/6/11
Cities are key players in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A new World Bank study has proposed a three-stage plan for mitigating climate change at a local level. Its recommendations include improving urban infrastructure and encouraging lifestyle change, but most importantly, clarity in the way urban GHG inventories are calculated.
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Graphene has potential for use in flexible batteries	26/5/11
Researchers have shown that graphene paper can be used to construct flexible and rechargeable batteries, which may even perform better than non-flexible batteries. These might be used in a range of portable, bendable and rollable devices and could also help develop new energy generation technology, such as flexible solar cells.
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Options for managing the variability of wind power explored	12/5/11
As wind power becomes more important in the energy mix, so too does the need to manage its variability. A new study has reviewed the options and indicates that, although state-of-the art technologies exist to maximise gains from wind power, they need proper and insightful management.
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Do climate change threats de-motivate us to protect the environment?	12/5/11
The threat of possible death from climate change may paradoxically reduce our motivation to protect the environment, according to a new psychology study conducted in Germany. However, this negative impact on the environment could be reduced if people's environmental motivations stemmed from a desire to benefit humans rather than a desire to protect nature itself.
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Fuel economy not the only influence on fuel consumption	12/5/11
Vehicle fuel economy has markedly improved, but there are other factors that influence fuel consumption and transport emissions, according to new research on the EU, USA and Japan. Changes in vehicle size and power also play a role indicating that, if fuel prices do not keep rising, policy focus may need to shift to managing vehicle use.
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Sustainability assessment of different nuclear fuel cycle scenarios	12/5/11
Without ambitious new policies, population growth and economic development will push natural resources to their limits by 2030, according to an OECD report. The report calls for action to promote efficient use of resources in order to protect the environment and key industries, and supports cooperation between OECD and non-OECD nations to help achieve this.
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Behavioural change essential to lowering energy use in the home	11/5/11
A recent study suggests relying on technical efficiency improvements in the home to reduce energy consumption is unlikely to produce significant energy savings unless householders also adopt lifestyles with lower consumption habits.
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Renewable power sources could meet all global energy needs by 2050	14/4/11
There are no technical or economic barriers to providing all of the world's energy from renewable sources, according to a recent study. With a concerted effort, including reduced demand and international cooperation, the researchers suggest that the world could be entirely reliant on renewable energy for electric power, transportation and heating/cooling by 2050.
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Public not equipped to manage personal carbon emissions	1/4/11
Although the public are largely aware of climate change, their understanding of how they produce and manage carbon is generally not sufficient to lead to changes in behaviour and lifestyle, according to a recent study. The researchers therefore recommend policy action to increase the 'carbon capability' of the general public.
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Gaps identified in current understanding of ocean fertilisation	1/4/11
A recent report has summarised what is currently known about the effects of ocean fertilisation as a climate change mitigation measure. The report highlights gaps in scientific understanding of the long term-effects of large-scale ocean fertilisation activities and raises questions about the effectiveness of the approach and the possibility of unintended impacts.
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Balancing bioenergy potential and carbon sink resources of forests	24/3/11
New research highlights that potential to use forest materials as bioenergy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel use must be balanced against the role played by forest stocks as carbon storage facilities.
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Carbon footprinting errors caused by differences in power supply	3/3/11
The actual carbon footprint of products and services can differ considerably according to how energy used to manufacture the product was generated – for example, whether it was generated by fossil fuel or renewable sources. A recent US study has therefore recommended that differences in regional power supply should be acknowledged by life cycle assessments of products and services.
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Calculating carbon budgets for agricultural crops	3/3/11
A new study has combined measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes with estimates of other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming operations for 15 European crop sites over several years. It estimated that the sites lost on average 138g of carbon per m2 per year. The total GHG balance (including non-CO2 emissions) was equivalent to an average carbon loss of 203g of carbon per m2 per year.
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New analysis of energy and environmental performance of biofuels	3/3/11
New research identifies important influences on the energy and environmental performance of biofuels made from agricultural crops. Type of land use change, type of biofuel crop and the by-products from the conversion process all influence performance.
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New proposals for simplifying REDD+ management	24/2/11
A recent study has proposed changes to the way REDD+ strategies are categorised, from an implementation perspective. This will simplify the monitoring, reporting and verification of the schemes. In addition, to encourage countries to make an early start on the REDD+ programmes, the study suggests that monitoring should initially focus on forests where it is easiest to implement REDD+ actions.
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Abandoned mines can be used as geothermal energy source	24/2/11
Scientists have reviewed the potential for worldwide development of geothermal energy systems in old, unused mines. The technology is proven in many sites and could therefore help increase the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, offering sustainability and job creation, which may make mining operations more appealing to investors, communities and policymakers.
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Dismal messages about global warming may increase scepticism	21/2/11
Dire messages about the impact of global warming may increase scepticism because they contradict a commonly held belief that the world is a just and orderly place. This is the conclusion of new psychological research which investigated the reaction of individuals to messages about global warming.
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Climate-driven malaria is a future possibility in Germany	10/2/11
By 2080, parts of Germany could be susceptible to the spread of malaria for up to six months a year, according to new research. The study mapped areas at risk of an outbreak, considering predicted climate change-driven rise in air temperature and data on the spread of malaria.
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Tropical land use change: more carbon lost for lower crop yield	10/2/11
Land cleared in the tropics loses nearly twice as much carbon and produces less than half the annual crop yield as land in temperate zones, according to researchers. Their analysis of the trade-off between crop production and the loss of carbon stored in vegetation highlights the need to target reforestation in the tropics.
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Evidence for negative carbon budgets for European croplands	3/2/11
Scientists have calculated carbon budgets for croplands in Europe, based on field measurements from nine sites across Europe. They found that significant soil carbon losses occurred from cropping even though some farmers used measures to enhance carbon-sequestration. These results may challenge findings from some other modelling studies if they turn out to be typical for all EU croplands.
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Partially converting fuels into 'syngas' increases energy efficiency	3/2/11
Recent research from China suggests that partially converting both natural gas and coal into 'syngas' fuel for power generation can generate around 6 per cent more electricity than competing 'conventional' gasification methods. The savings arise from more efficient use of the chemical energy in gas and coal which is lost in a conventional burner.
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Reducing the potential 'ecological trap' of solar panels	3/2/11
Solar panels are attractive to aquatic insects because they reflect light in a similar way to water, indicates recent research. This has ecological implications, especially if insects lay eggs on the panels. However, if panels are surrounded by white borders and divided by white grids, they are considerably less attractive to the insects.
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Possible solutions to local weather impacts of large wind farms	3/2/11
New research indicates that large-scale wind farms may influence local weather. It suggests the impact can be minimised by changing the design of the rotors or positioning wind farms in regions with high natural turbulence. These strategies could also make the farms more productive.
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Megacities need mega-models to assess their environmental impact	3/2/11
Assessing the impact of large urban areas on air quality and climate change needs an integrated approach with a range of spatial and temporal scales, according to researchers. The EU-funded MEGAPOLI project considers time scales from seconds to decades and spatial scales from local to global.
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Composting needs more recognition in CDM	20/1/11
A new study indicates that composting projects have greater potential to reduce greenhouse gases and contribute to sustainable development than landfill gas projects. However, only 1.8 per cent of projects in the UN's Clean Development Mechanism involve composting whereas 6.6 per cent are landfill gas projects.
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The contribution of transportation of household goods to emissions	20/1/11
According to new research, 13 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with French household consumption is from transporting household goods. Most of this (10 per cent of all emissions) comes from the transport of goods outside or into France.
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Updated assessment of aviation's impact on the atmosphere	20/1/11
In an update of the 1999 assessment of aviation impacts on climate change and ozone depletion by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a new study has detailed recent research on aviation emissions and investigated the potential for using alternative aviation fuels.
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Air pollution and climate change: which has greater health impacts?	20/1/11
Air pollution causes serious health problems around the world, however, some aerosol particle emissions contribute to a cooling effect on the climate. A recent study has focused on shipping as a source of emissions to explore whether reducing air pollution to improve human health could increase the risk of health problems caused by climate change.
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Choice of method for measuring carbon footprint can affect the result	20/1/11
When calculating the carbon footprint of products, the methods and assumptions used should be made clear, according to a recent study, as the choice of assessment method can have a large effect on the final result of a carbon footprint.
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Policy, not market alone, must dictate future transport emissions	13/1/11
Existing technologies could reduce emissions of CO2 and air pollutants from land transport by almost a third. But, reductions will not be delivered through markets alone, according to a recent assessment, particularly for CO2. The researchers argue that strong policy interventions will be essential to mitigating climate change caused by emissions from land transport.
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The impact of climate change on Europe's electricity demand	6/1/11
The impact of climate change on electricity consumption is important to both adaptation and mitigation policies. New research has estimated that over the next 100 years climate change could cause up to a 20 per cent decrease in demand for electricity for heating in Northern Europe and up to a 20 per cent increase in demand for electricity for cooling in Southern Europe.
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Replacing end-of-life power stations with CCS coal-fired plants	6/1/11
A recent study has evaluated the economic and environmental merits of different designs of coal-fired power plants, all with carbon capture and storage (CCS), to replace an old power station in Germany. An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant with pre-combustion CO2 capture was found to offer the best profit for plant operators and significantly lower the life cycle emissions of CO2.
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