A new estimate of Africa’s greenhouse gas budget from 2010 to 2019 shows increasing emissions from cropland expansion, livestock, and fossil fuel use—meaning the continent may have transitioned from an overall carbon sink to a slight carbon source.
greenhouse gases
Posted inNews
Planting Trees May Not Be as Good for the Climate as Previously Believed
The climate benefits of trees storing carbon dioxide is partially offset by dark forests’ absorption of more heat from the Sun, and compounds they release that slow the destruction of methane in the atmosphere.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Using Satellite Observations for Attribution of Radiation Changes
Analysis of infrared satellite measurements identifies the climate response to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Inland Waters Are a Blind Spot in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Researchers call for an extensive monitoring network to quantify carbon dioxide and methane released by China’s rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Researchers Compare Observations Versus Modeling of Coastal Carbon Cycle
While storing carbon dioxide, the coastal ocean also releases methane and nitrous oxide. New research shows that understanding the impact of coastal oceans on climate requires more research into these fluxes and how they counteract each other.
Posted inEditors' Vox
The Not-So-Silent Depths
A new book reveals that ocean depths are far from silent voids, but are actually alive with noise.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Researchers Develop Mexico’s First Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Budget
A new study delves into 2 decades of data to create a comprehensive quantification of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide sources and sinks that could help guide climate policy.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Climate Tipping Points Could Be Triggered by “Committed Warming”
Unless we rapidly reach net zero emissions, the climate will inch closer to a point of no return—even after greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Adding Oxygen to a Lake to Explore Methane Emissions
A rare whole-lake experiment suggests that in some cases, low-oxygen conditions may have a smaller impact on methane release to the atmosphere than previously thought.