Articles tagged with "carbon-footprint"
The New Volvo ES90: A Big Electric Car with a Small Carbon Footprint - CleanTechnica
The new Volvo ES90, launching production in summer 2025, is a fully electric vehicle designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint. Produced using climate-neutral energy, the ES90’s life cycle carbon footprint is estimated at 31 tonnes when charged with the European energy mix, dropping to 26 tonnes when charged with wind energy. This footprint is significantly lower—about 50% less than the Volvo S90 mild hybrid and 30% less than the plug-in hybrid S90—making it one of the lowest carbon footprint Volvo cars to date. Volvo’s third-party verified life cycle assessment (LCA) report highlights the materials and processes contributing to emissions, covering raw material extraction through end-of-life, underscoring the company’s commitment to transparency and informed consumer choices. Volvo’s holistic sustainability approach for the ES90 includes the use of recycled and bio-based materials, such as 29% recycled aluminum, 18% recycled steel, 16% recycled polymers,
electric-vehiclesenergy-efficiencysustainable-materialscarbon-footprintrecycled-materialselectric-car-technologyclimate-neutral-manufacturingBeef Is The Highest Carbon Food? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica addresses the misconception that individual actions to reduce carbon footprints are insignificant compared to emissions from fossil fuel corporations. It emphasizes that with a global population of about 8 billion people—expected to grow by 1.4 billion in 20 years—collective individual behaviors, including the use of fossil fuel products and food choices, significantly impact climate change. Among various foods, beef has the highest carbon footprint, largely due to the methane emissions from cattle digestion and manure, nitrous oxide release, and the extensive land use changes required for cattle grazing and feed production. Cattle farming contributes to environmental degradation beyond greenhouse gas emissions. Large-scale cattle operations lead to deforestation, particularly in South America’s Amazon region, where cattle ranching accounts for 80% of deforestation. This deforestation releases stored carbon and destroys wild habitats. Additionally, runoff from cattle manure contaminates waterways, contributing to the creation of dead zones such as the Gulf of Mexico’s hypoxic zone, which kills
energyclimate-changecarbon-footprintgreenhouse-gasesmethane-emissionsagriculture-impactenvironmental-sustainabilityOffset Your Carbon Footprint (and Make a Profit) - CleanTechnica
The article highlights World Tree’s investment opportunity that combines environmental impact with financial returns by planting fast-growing Empress hardwood trees. Investors fund the planting of these trees on selected farms across the U.S., Panama, and Belize, where the trees mature in 8–12 years into valuable lumber. Upon timber sale, investors receive 30% of the proceeds, with potential returns up to five times the initial investment, driven by an 80% tree survival rate and an average lumber price of $5.89 per board foot. One acre of Empress trees can offset an individual’s carbon footprint for a decade while restoring degraded farmland and supporting healthier ecosystems. World Tree is positioned to capitalize on the growing $170 billion North American lumber market, projected to increase demand through 2050. With 7,000 acres already planted and farms carefully vetted for optimal growth, the company offers a unique sustainable investment. Empress trees grow three times faster than traditional species like pine, enhancing both profitability and environmental benefits.
energycarbon-capturesustainable-investingforestryrenewable-resourcesclimate-changecarbon-footprintAbandoning The Market - CleanTechnica
The article "Abandoning The Market" from CleanTechnica reflects on the author's personal journey from conservative political views to recognizing the undeniable reality of climate change, sparked by observing the 2003 Hardiness Zone map that showed significant warming in their local area. The map, which was suppressed by the George W. Bush administration due to its implications about climate change, revealed a temperature increase of over 10°F in the author's region, bringing new environmental challenges like Lyme disease. This denial of clear scientific evidence by a political party led the author to reconsider their political alignment, especially after witnessing the resistance to acknowledging climate change among like-minded conservatives. The author connects this personal experience to a broader geopolitical and economic context, highlighting a recent International Energy Agency paper that underscores China's dominant position in clean energy investment and markets. The U.S., by contrast, has lagged behind due to political denial and lack of engagement with the realities of climate change. The article critiques the entrenched political denial in the U.S.
energyclimate-changeglobal-warmingrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-powercarbon-footprintWomen Live In Ways That Emit Less Carbon Than Men - So What? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the gender differences in carbon footprints, highlighting that women generally have lower carbon emissions than men due to differences in consumption patterns, particularly in diet and transportation. It emphasizes that mitigating climate change requires changes in personal consumption, especially in high-emission sectors such as food choices and commuting methods. For example, in France, diet and transport account for about half of an individual's carbon footprint, with men’s higher emissions largely driven by greater consumption of red meat and more frequent use of cars. The study cited suggests that if all men adopted women’s consumption habits without reducing women’s, significant reductions in carbon emissions could be achieved, particularly in food (1.9 MtCO2e) and transport (11.5 MtCO2e). The article contrasts the US and France, noting that the average American’s carbon footprint (about 16 tons/year) is substantially higher than that of the average French person (9.2 tons/year), partly due to cultural norms that promote consumption as a status symbol, especially among men. This includes preferences for muscle cars and frequent upgrades of technology, which contribute to excessive emissions. Indoor energy use, such as air conditioning and fuel-burning appliances, also plays a significant role in the US carbon footprint. The article also points out that household structure influences emissions, with couples and families showing different patterns in food and transport footprints. Overall, the findings imply that climate policies should consider gender and social roles, as women’s consumption patterns may be more aligned with net-zero goals, while men may face greater behavioral and cultural barriers to reducing emissions.
energycarbon-footprintclimate-changegreenhouse-gas-emissionsconsumption-patternstransportation-emissionsenergy-consumptionMIT turns seawater, soda cans into 90% cleaner hydrogen fuel
hydrogenclean-energysustainable-technologyaluminum-recyclingcarbon-footprintgreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyGoogle inks another massive solar power deal to electrify its data centers
energysolar-powerrenewable-energydata-centerscarbon-footprintclean-powersustainabilityAviation Professionals Call For A New Flight Plan On Emissions
energyemissionsaviationclimate-changesustainable-aviation-fuelscarbon-footprintfossil-fuelsNew Data On Fossil Fuel Industry Emissions Could Play Pivotal Role In Climate Litigation
energyclimate-changefossil-fuelsemissionscarbon-footprintsustainabilityclimate-litigation