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Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

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Levels of two major air pollutants have been reduced significantly since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a secondary pollutant—ground-level ozone—has increased in China, according to new research. For comparison, columns over the same time periods are shown for 2019. —Guy Brasseur.

Ozone 291
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Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

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Ozone pollution across the continental United States will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise, according to new work led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Ozone formation. Even short periods of unhealthy ozone levels can cause local death rates to rise. Scenario A2 and RCP 8.5.

Ozone 199
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PSI team develops web tool for consumers to compare environmental impact of passenger cars in detail

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Deterioration of the ozone layer [kg CFC-11-eq.]. In addition, it can differentiate between a large number of fuels: Besides the common ones, we have also integrated bio- and synthetic fuels of various origins, and we have considered future technologies such as CO 2 capture and storage in hydrogen production.

Mariner 435
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Renault makes public its lifecycle study of Fluence ICE vs Fluence EV

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Renault’s comparison of the carbon footprint of EV and ICE vehicles over production, operation and end of life. The publication gives the opportunity for an “apples-to-apples” comparison between the environmental impacts of the two types of powertrains: same manufacturer, same model, same boundary conditions. Click to enlarge.

Li-ion 364
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Toyota to pioneer use of biosynthetic rubber in engine and drive system hoses

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Since plants absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere during their lifespan, such bio-materials achieve an estimated 20% reduction in material lifecycle carbon emissions in comparison to conventional petroleum-based hydrin rubber. Jointly developed by Toyota, Zeon Corporation , and Sumitomo Riko Co., Vacuum sensing hose production process.

Toyota 150
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Study finds that environmental impact of corn-ethanol E85 is 23% to 33% higher than that of gasoline; environmental problem-shifting

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eutrophication; ET = ecological toxicity; FEC = fossil energy consumption; WU = water use; LO = land occupation; “The rest” includes acidification; smog formation; ozone layer depletion; and human health effects. This study highlighted the environmental impacts of corn ethanol in comparison with gasoline. GW = global warming; Eut.

Gasoline 357
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Ford researchers report detailed study of the effect of different ethanol blend levels on emissions from FFVs

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The minimum in NO x and NMOG emissions for midlevel ethanol blends points to future opportunities for emission reductions from FFVs. The study thus included the current predominant market fuel (E10); a range of possible future midlevel ethanol blends (E20?E40); Credit: ACS, Hubbard et al. Click to enlarge. —Hubbard et al.

Emissions 294