A new study reveals how changes in sea level influenced ocean phosphate levels, which in turn affected atmospheric carbon dioxide and regulated Earth's climate over the past 60 million years. Published in PNAS, the research identifies a crucial part of the planet's natural climate control system involving marine organisms.
Experts and environmental groups criticize the UK's carbon capture and storage (CCS) plans, arguing they are costly, ineffective against methane emissions, and primarily support new fossil fuel infrastructure rather than hard-to-abate industries.
Microsoft, Amazon, and Google's combined carbon emissions increased by nearly a fifth in the past year, reaching 119m mTCO₂e, largely due to datacentre construction for AI. This surge contrasts with previous efforts to reduce emissions and highlights concerns about the ecological impact of cloud computing and AI development.
China aims to peak emissions within five years, targeting a 17% reduction in CO2 emissions per GDP unit by 2030 and increasing non-fossil energy share to 25%. The plan emphasizes clean coal substitution, nuclear power, and green energy sources to meet soaring electricity demand from its AI sector and ensure energy security.
Scientists at NTU in Singapore developed a process converting discarded shrimp shells into carbon-negative hydrogen fuel, aquaculture protein, and calcium carbonate. This lab-scale technology aims to reduce waste and offer cleaner alternatives to fossil-based energy and industrial materials, though commercial scaling faces efficiency and economic hurdles.
Scientists in Singapore have developed a process to convert shrimp shells and other organic waste into hydrogen fuel, protein for aquaculture feed, and calcium carbonate for construction. The technology, developed at Nanyang Technological University, aims to be carbon-negative by removing more CO2 than it produces, offering a dual solution for waste reduction and cleaner energy.
A proverb suggests the ocean stores secrets at a 'salt' cost, altering its composition. This reflects how absorbed elements, from geological minerals to human waste, change the sea. The concept applies to human memory, systems thinking, digital storage, and unresolved conflicts, highlighting that containment alters the container.
Chinese startup Zhiyu Aerospace Technology plans to use supercritical carbon dioxide for rocket launches, aiming for low-cost, high-frequency commercial flights. The technology ejects rockets using high-pressure CO2, igniting engines mid-air to avoid ground platform contact.
Scores of Labour MPs are pressuring prospective prime minister Andy Burnham to reject the Rosebank oilfield development in the North Sea, citing new research that estimates 250m tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime, equivalent to 70% of the UK's annual emissions, and arguing it won't reduce fuel prices or significantly boost the economy.
A new study in Nature Communications used rhenium isotopes from ancient seabed sediments to analyze the Toarcian Ocean Anoxic Event 183 million years ago. Researchers found that eroding organic carbon amplified global warming, suggesting a similar process may affect modern climate change, though its extent remains uncertain.
The Albanese government approved regulatory changes allowing NSW to receive carbon credit funding for protecting native forests, enabling the creation of a 176,000-hectare koala national park near Coffs Harbour. The move, an election commitment, is praised by some conservationists but criticized by others and industry for relying on contentious carbon offsets.
A UK company, VolcanoTech, has developed a low-cost air quality sensor using a modified smartphone camera and Raspberry Pi. These sensors detect sulphur dioxide, a key indicator of imminent volcanic eruptions, and are being deployed in countries like Ecuador and Indonesia, offering a cheaper alternative to existing systems.
Geoengineering, particularly solar geoengineering, is presented as a risky techno-optimistic "quick fix" for climate change. Critics argue it masks warming, poses termination shock risks, requires centuries of maintenance, and lacks scientific understanding and governance, diverting resources from decarbonization.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino aims to attend two World Cup games daily, utilizing a private jet provided by Qatar Airways. This ambitious schedule spans the US, Canada, and Mexico, covering vast distances and multiple time zones, a stark contrast to the more compact 2022 Qatar World Cup.
A new study suggests trees might not store as much planet-heating carbon as previously thought. Researchers found that tree growth stops months before photosynthesis does, meaning not all absorbed carbon is converted into wood. This could impact climate models and the effectiveness of forests as carbon sinks.
Shipbuilders in South Korea's Daebul Industrial Complex are concerned about the supply of carbon dioxide, a crucial material for welding, due to the prolonged conflict in Iran. Disruptions in petrochemical plants, which produce CO2 as a byproduct, are impacting availability, with fears of further shortages as summer demand for dry ice increases.
Weakened UK electric car sales rules may increase CO2 emissions by 17m tonnes by 2030, driven by a 48% rise in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales, which emit more than anticipated due to underuse of battery mode.
The 2026 World Cup faces criticism for its massive environmental impact, projected to be the "most polluting" ever due to increased teams and vast host countries. Concerns also include eye-watering ticket prices, political tensions, and player safety amid extreme heat.
We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China builds world’s first ‘coal battery’ with zero emission Chinese scientists have developed a way to generate electricity and achieve higher energy efficiency than conventional burning methods, while producing zero carbon dioxide emissions, by placing coal inside a “battery”. 2. China unveils ultra-cheap...
India is burning more coal to meet surging electricity demand caused by extreme heatwaves and energy supply disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, challenging the nation's long-term net-zero goals.
Researchers published a study in ACS Catalysis on April 15 detailing a process to convert carbon dioxide directly into long-chain chemicals suitable for jet fuel. The method essentially runs combustion in reverse, recombining waste gas with water to create energy-dense liquid fuel. The breakthrough addresses two major obstacles that have historically hindered this chemical process: carbon chain growth difficulties and low yields of valuable long-chain products.
Darren Jones suggests cost of energy, food and flights will remain high after de-escalation and Hormuz strait reopensThe UK faces higher prices for food and fuel for at least eight months after the war in Iran ends, a minister has said. The closure of the strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that carried a fifth of global oil and gas, has sent oil prices soaring since the US and Israeli attacks on Iran began in February. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said the conflict would probably continue to raise prices for energy, food and flights in the coming months as potential issues around energy supplies affect production, rather than lead to shortages on supermarket shelves. The UK government has urged motorists to fill up their cars as usual amid higher prices at the pumps and for air travellers not to change their plans over potential jet fuel shortages. Jones told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “You’re going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East. “That’s probably going to come online not just in the next few weeks, but the next few months. There’s going to be a long tail from this.” Asked how long higher prices might remain, Jones suggested it would be around eight months after the strait of Hormuz was unblocked and a de-escalation of the conflict had taken place. “I think our best guess is eight-plus months from the point of resolution that you’ll see economic impacts coming through the system,” he said. Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the US ceasefire with Iran last week that paused most of the fighting, but further efforts towards ending the conflict have been unsuccessful after the US president told his envoys not to travel to Pakistan for talks at the weekend. The UK government is stepping up planning for how to offset the impact, focusing on the live monitoring of stock levels and what plans are in place for addressing supply chain disruption. Jones said: “The government here in the UK, the work that I’m doing with the prime minister is looking at all of those things and saying, ‘What can we do within our power to help people to get through those difficult times?’” The government is also looking to secure stocks of carbon dioxide, which is used in the food industry and by breweries to make drinks fizzy, as well as for defence purposes and medical uses such as MRI scanning. Jones said he was seeking to ensure there was an adequate supply of beer for fans watching the men’s football World Cup which starts on 11 June. He said: “I raised this issue because if there is a problem with jet fuel on holidays and carbon dioxide on beer, the summer might be pretty depressing for people, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure that it’s not the case.” The Liberal Democrats have called for a bill to be included in the next king’s speech in May to put food security at the top of the government’s agenda. Continue reading...
A novel direct coal power technology uses electrochemical oxidation to convert pulverised coal into electricity without combustion, eliminating CO2 emissions. The process feeds purified coal powder into an anode chamber while supplying oxygen to the cathode, generating electricity directly across an oxide membrane. High-purity CO2 captured at the anode outlet can be catalytically converted into synthesis gas or mineralised into compounds like sodium bicarbonate.
The UK government has revised its estimate of carbon emissions from AI datacentres by more than 100 times, after an investigation revealed the original figure was a significant underestimate. New data shows AI datacentres could emit 34-123 MtCO2 over the next decade, equivalent to 0.9-3.4% of the UK's projected total emissions between 2025-2035. The previous estimate claimed emissions would reach just 0.142 MtCO2 in a single year.
