Greenhouse gases and aerosols

Taking stock of Australia’s carbon sequestration potential
A recent CSIRO report commissioned by the Climate Change Authority has provided a comprehensive assessment of Australia’s carbon sequestration potential.

Methane levels and the role of science in mitigation
The recent, rapid rise in levels of methane in our atmosphere is causing concern among scientists. So why is it happening?

Should I eat more or less dairy if I want a low emission diet?
Australian adults are not eating enough dairy. Some are concerned dairy products have high greenhouse gas emissions. New research shows healthier diets with lower GHG emissions can include dairy.

Climate mitigation: Science-backed solutions to reduce emissions
Science tells us that anthropogenic climate change is in effect. In order to limit the changes to our environments, economies and lifestyles, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a number of sources. This is a huge task, so where should we concentrate efforts and what tools are at our disposal?

Capturing fugitive methane emissions
Three technologies that mitigate methane emissions, either by destroying the gas or capturing it, are gaining the attention of miners seeking to reduce their emissions.

A changing climate could challenge our understanding of bushfires as ‘carbon neutral’ events
Australia’s fire season isn’t over yet, but a significant flux of greenhouse gases have already been released into the atmosphere. Our scientists have been exploring their impact.

Ozone uptake in oceans much lower than previously thought
CSIRO scientists have developed a new way to account for ozone in computer simulations of the climate. This latest modelling shows that the oceans take much less ozone out of the atmosphere than previously thought. This has implications not only for our understanding of future global warming, but also on human health, plant productivity and the economy.

Eastern China pinpointed as source of rogue ozone-depleting emissions
For several years, emissions of CFCs have been rising, in apparent defiance of a global ban in place since 2010. A new global detective effort has traced the source to two eastern Chinese provinces.

Watching the world’s atmosphere
ACCURATE, reliable and comprehensive information about what is happening in our atmosphere is a critical piece of the puzzle if we are to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate.