Carbon Dioxide

The hybrid reactor developed at UC Berkeley has a chamber on the left that contains the nanowires and bacteria that reduces CO2 into organic molecules, while the chamber on the right is where oxygen is produced

Science

Hybrid reactor uses living bacteria to turn CO2 into useful molecules

Scientists have developed a biohybrid reactor that can take carbon dioxide and turn it into versatile organic compounds, using bacteria and a forest of nanowires to make these conversions with what they claim is record efficiency.

Trees growing under simulated heat and drought conditions reveal that the negatives of increased atmospheric CO2 levels outweigh the benefits for plants

Environment

Study shows why trees won't benefit much from extra CO2 in the air

One argued silver lining of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is that plants will be better off. But a new study has found that the more extreme heat and drought brought on by climate change would cancel out most of the benefits for trees.

A new climate report confirms that 2019 was another record-breaking year

Environment

UN annual climate report shows 2019 was another record-breaking year

The Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2019 report confirms that last year was another record-breaker, continuing a worrying trend that indicates we’re drifting further off-track from meeting the targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The new bendable concrete is put to the test

Materials

Bendable concrete goes cement-free to cut environmental footprint

Strong as it is, concrete doesn’t stand up well against bending. Now, researchers at Swinburne University have developed a new type of concrete that can not only bend better, but doesn’t require cement to make, reducing its environmental footprint.

A new report says that there was a pause in the growth of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019

Environment

New report reveals pause in rise of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019

According to the latest report from IEA, in 2019 global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions stayed steady from the previous year. That’s cause for some cautious optimism, but may not signal the start of the long-term downward trend that we need.

The new method involves replacing one gas with another in the permafrost

Science

Flue gases extract methane from permafrost while reducing emissions

Researchers from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are looking at a method of extracting methane from Arctic permafrost, in a way that reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

The glue is intended to ultimately perform at least as well as traditional plastic-based adhesives

Environment

Biodegradable adhesive breaks down when discarded

While it's good that there are plastics which biodegrade, the glue used to join pieces of those or other materials together isn't as eco-friendly. Scientists have set about addressing that problem, however, by developing a biodegradable adhesive.

Researchers have evolved E. coli bacteria to eat carbon dioxide from the air

Biology

Directed evolution teaches bacteria to eat carbon dioxide

Researchers have created bacteria that can effectively eat air. By carefully directing the evolution of E. coli in the lab, the team managed to wean them off their preferred diet of sugar, and make the switch to carbon dioxide in the air around them.

A new report from the WMO says that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are at record highs – and still increasing

Environment

UN greenhouse gas report paints 2018 as multi-record-breaking year

A new UN report, the Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, says that in 2018, the globally-averaged concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere was 407.8 parts per million (ppm), a new record high that hasn’t been seen in millions of years.

Formula 1 has laid out a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030

Automotive

Formula 1 announces plan to go carbon neutral by 2030

It may not come as a huge surprise that the Formula 1 World Championship generates massive amounts of CO2. It has today, however, pledged to clean up its act in a big way, with a commitment to become entirely carbon neutral by 2030.

“From the data we have, it is clear we are facing a climate emergency. While things are bad, all is not hopeless. We can take steps to address the climate emergency.” - Dr. Thomas Newsome

Environment

11,000 scientists declare climate emergency, outline a plan of action

A new report declaring a climate emergency has been signed by thousands of scientists. But it remains hopeful, outlining six steps we can take to mitigate the worst effects of climate change – provided we act sooner rather than later.

A diagram detailing the new device from MIT. Air or flue gas can be pumped into the device (bottom), which captures carbon dioxide (red) from it, leaving only fresh air (blue) to come out. When the device is full, it can be flushed out and captured as pure CO2 for industrial use

Environment

"Electro-swing" battery captures CO2 from power plants or ambient air

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method for pulling carbon dioxide out of a chimney flue at a power plant or even just ambient air. The new device is a specialized battery that absorbs CO2 while charging, then releases it for industrial use.