A new study shows that systems designed to capture methane from cow manure, called dairy digesters, are highly effective. But on the rare occasions they fail, the leaks are large enough to offset their climate benefits.

A comprehensive review published in Carbon Research provides a critical analysis of the global steel industry's role in greenhouse gas emissions and charts a strategic course toward sustainable production. The work, authored by a team including Yibo Qian of the University of Auckland and Yuanzhe Li from the National University of Singapore, examines the essential steps for accurate emissions accounting, the transition to green steel technologies, and the importance of credible verification to ensure environmental integrity.

New research from the Wuhan University of Technology reveals the complex and contradictory effects of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," on soil ecosystems. A team led by authors Yulong Li and Lie Yang demonstrated that contaminants PFOA and PFOS trigger a dramatic two-phase response in soil. Initially, the chemicals stimulate a rapid release of carbon, but this is followed by a prolonged period of suppression, posing significant questions about the long-term health of contaminated soils and their role in the global carbon cycle.

The widespread presence of PFOA and PFOS in the environment is a growing concern due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. While many investigations have focused on their distribution and toxic effects on plants and animals, their influence on the fundamental geochemical processes within soil has been less understood. This inquiry sought to determine how these specific contaminants alter the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC), a vital process where microorganisms break down organic matter and release carbon, which influences both soil fertility and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

A team of researchers from Kunming University of Science and Technology, Peking University, and the University of Massachusetts has published a comprehensive review detailing the complex environmental role of pyrogenic carbonaceous materials (PCMs). These carbon-rich residues, produced from the incomplete combustion of biomass during wildfires and fuel burning, are widely distributed across the globe. The analysis synthesizes current knowledge on how these materials contribute to long-term carbon sequestration in soils while simultaneously posing ecological risks due to associated contaminants. The findings provide a critical overview for environmental scientists and policymakers navigating the intersection of climate change, soil health, and pollution.

An in-depth econometric analysis reveals the significant environmental consequences of Brazil's expanding tourism sector and economic growth. The new report, authored by Asif Raihan of the Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, examines three decades of data to untangle the complex relationship between the nation's economy, energy consumption, tourism industry, and its carbon footprint. While tourism is a vital engine for development, its reliance on energy-intensive activities poses a direct challenge to Brazil's environmental goals, including its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

A new study reveals that biochar, a carbon-rich material increasingly promoted for sustainable agriculture, can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies. However, its climate benefits depend strongly on how much nitrogen fertilizer is applied.

Researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, combine various past climate data to investigate the impacts of ancient volcanic eruptions. They explored eruptions in the tropics over the last 1,000 years and found some large eruptions have far-reaching climatic consequences. Preserved tree rings, as well as climate models, show evidence that some monsoon activity is reduced following particularly large tropical eruptions. This research could impact current climate models, eruption simulations, and even influence long-term disaster preparedness given the potential impact eruptions can have on monsoon-dependent crop supplies.