Carbon
Even After Plantations Are Abandoned Primary Forests Do Not Return
Eucalyptus plantations in southern India that were abandoned and left to recover for nearly 40 years are still far from resembling the primary forest surrounding them.
Why New Forests Are Better at Sequestering Carbon Than Old Ones
Younger plants are able to extract carbon from the air and incorporate it into their biomass more quickly than mature trees.
California Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2045
Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation on Monday setting a goal of 100 percent renewable energy for the state by 2045.
Deforestation Is Happening in Southern Africa Much Faster Than Previously Thought
New research using radar data, as opposed to visual satellite imagery, is a reminder that deforestation and environmental degradation aren't just happening in tropical forests.
Increasing Frequency of Drought Is Changing the Amazon From Carbon Sink to Source
New research finds just one season of drought can reduce the carbon dioxide absorption ability of the world's biggest rainforest—the Amazon—for years to come.
Dispatches: Finding Climate Change Clues in Ancient Ice
News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.
Measuring the Carbon Dioxide Capturing Prowess of Urban Forests
New research shows that even temperate forests in cities may be able to sequester nearly as much carbon as a similarly sized area of rainforest.
How Increasingly Severe El Niños Are Threatening Tropical Forests Around the World
And with tropical forests storing almost 250 billion tons of carbon, their fate has major implications for the Earth's atmosphere.
'No Good Alternative': On America's Love Affair With Coal
An excerpt from William T. Vollmann's new book.
Dispatches: Re-Discovering Terra Preta in Amazonia
News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.
Sweden Passes Ambitious Climate Law to Be Carbon Neutral by 2045
Sweden is one of just three European countries with climate policies in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Future of Biomass After Paris
Amid conflicting assessments of the Paris Agreement, two things are clear: World governments still love carbon markets, and COP21 went a long way toward simply giving slash-and-burn agriculture a makeover.
How Much Carbon Did You Emit Today?
New research suggests a reminder may inspire more environmentally friendly behavior.
The Man Who Wants to Fix the Climate. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Most scientists oppose Russ George's efforts to fix the world's climate. But who's going to do something about it?
Pricing Carbon to Reduce Emissions, Create Dividends
Proponents of the "Wesleyan Statement" say that America should tax carbon to reduce emissions, then return the money to citizens as a direct payment or a tax reduction.
Clean Stoves for the Third World
Millions of people worldwide die every year because of primitive cooking stoves. Around the globe, helpers ranging from Hillary Clinton to African entrepreneurs are making inroads.
Social Cost of Carbon Has Wide-Ranging Impact
A requirement for cost/benefit analyses of federal rules has created — without any real public input — a very important number in deciding what to do about greenhouse gases.
Albedo Loss Double that Predicted
The loss of sea ice is a concern for more than polar bears, as the loss of reflectivity it represents means the planet may warm even faster.
Ocean Sequestration of Carbon: The World's Best Bad Idea for Combatting Climate Change
Putting carbon dioxide in the ocean is a terrible way to deal with climate change. Maybe we should do it.
Holistic Management: Getting Carbon Back in the Soil
A smarter way of raising herd animals, known as holistic management, may be a catalyst to helping the soil reclaim its role as a global carbon sponge.
The Price to You for Modest Climate Action
Offering some idea of what cap-and-trade might cost average Americans, the EPA estimates between $79 and $146 a year.
The Dirt on Climate Change
Could soil engineered specifically to maximize carbon storage dampen some effects of climate change? Very possibly.
Tempest in a Cement Mixer
The world of carbonate chemistry is rocking over claims that a new kind of cement can sequester carbon.