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Urbanization in China has dramatically increased from 39.10 in 2002 to 58.52% in 2017. Studies have discussed the impacts of urbanization and its corresponding changes in consumption patterns on carbon dioxide emissions; however, little is known about their impacts on black carbon (BC). Therefore, we collected data on the BC emissions of various sectors to calculate the consumption-based BC emissions in China, and we used an input–output analysis (IOA) and structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to explore the impacts of urbanization and changes in consumption patterns on BC emissions from 2002 to 2017, focusing on sectoral BC emissions. The total BC emissions of various sectors first increased and then decreased. BC emissions increased from 1083.47 in 2002 to 2550.83 Gg in 2012. They were then reduced to 2478.63 Gg in 2017. Additionally, with the rise in the urbanization rate, household consumption BC emissions increased from 446.18 in 2002 to 1080.12 Gg in 2017. Urban consumption, rural consumption, and BC emission intensity were the three main contributing factors to household consumption BC emission changes. Transport, storage, postal, and telecommunications services (TSP); farming, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery (FFA); and residential and other industries (RES) contributed the most to the urbanization-related BC emission increase. In particular, the TSP sector contributed the most to the BC emission increase because of the increasing TSP needs related to urbanization. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate mitigation policies for the TSP sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large‐scale soil application of biochar is one of the terrestrial carbon sequestration strategies for future climate change mitigation pathways, which can also help remove and sequester pollutants from contaminated soil and water. However, black carbon emissions from biochar‐amended soils can deteriorate air quality and affect human health, as the biochar particles often contain a higher amount of sorbed toxic pollutants than the soil. Yet, the extent and mechanism of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) emission from biochar‐amended soils at different wind regimes have not been evaluated. Using wind tunnel experiments to simulate different wind regimes, we quantified particulate emission from sand amended with 1–4% (by weight) biochar at two size fractions: with and without <2‐mm biochar. At wind speeds below the threshold speed for soil erosion, biochar application significantly increased PM10 emission by up to 400% due to the direct resuspension of inhalable biochar particles. At wind speeds above the threshold speed, emission increased by up to 300% even from biochar without inhalable fractions due to collisions of fast‐moving sand particles with large biochar particles. Using a theoretical framework, we show that particulate matter emissions from biochar‐amended soils could be higher than that previously expected at wind speeds below the erosion threshold wind speed for background soil. Our results indicate that current models for fugitive dust emissions may underestimate the particulate matter emission potential of biochar‐amended soils and will help improve the assessment of biochar emission from amended soils. Key Points: The applied biochar can be transported out of the soil system even at low wind velocities, potentially along with adsorbed contaminantsCurrent models for fugitive dust emissions may underestimate particulate matter emission potential of biochar‐amended soils [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to life on earth to date with black carbon (BC) emissions or smoke being the strongest cause after carbon dioxide (CO[sub 2]). Surprisingly, scientific evidence about black carbon emissions reduction in healthcare settings is sparse. This paper presents new research findings on the reduction of black carbon emissions from an observational study conducted at the UN Peacekeeping Operations (MINUSTAH) in Haiti in 2014. Researchers observed 20 incineration cycles, 30 minutes for each cycle of plastic and cardboard sharps healthcare waste (HCW) containers ranged from 3 to 14.6 kg. The primary aim was to determine if black carbon emissions from healthcare waste incineration can be lowered by mainstreaming the use of cardboard sharps healthcare waste containers instead of plastic sharps healthcare waste containers. Similarly, the study looks into whether burning temperature was associated with the smoke levels for each case or not. Independent samples t-tests demonstrated significantly lower black carbon emissions during the incineration of cardboard sharps containers (6.81 ± 4.79% smoke) than in plastic containers (17.77 ± 8.38% smoke); a statistically significant increase of 10.96% smoke (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [4.4 to 17.5% smoke], p = 0.003). Correspondingly, lower bottom burner temperatures occurred during the incineration of cardboard sharps containers than in plastic (95% Cl [16 to 126°C], p = 0.014). Finally, we expect the application of the new quantitative evidence to form the basis for policy formulation, mainstream the use of cardboard sharps containers and opt for non-incineration disposal technologies as urgent steps for going green in healthcare waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing effects of human activities on climate change throughout the world, and global South in particular, scientists are yet to understand how poor healthcare waste management practices in an emergency influences the climate change. This article presents new findings on climate change risks of healthcare waste disposal during and after the 2010 earthquake and cholera disasters in Haiti. The researchers analysed quantities of healthcare waste incinerated by the United Nations Mission in Haiti for 60 months (2009 to 2013). The aim was to determine the relationship between healthcare waste incinerated weights and the time of occurrence of the two disasters, and associated climate change effects, if any. Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient indicated a weak correlation between the quantities of healthcare waste disposed of and the time of occurrence of the actual emergencies (r (58) = 0.406, p = 0.001). Correspondingly, linear regression analysis indicated a relatively linear data trend (R2 = 0.16, F (1, 58) = 11.42, P = 0.001) with fluctuating scenarios that depicted a sharp rise in 2012, and time series model showed monthly and yearly variations within 60 months. Given that the peak healthcare waste incineration occurred 2 years after the 2010 disasters, points at the need to minimise wastage on pharmaceuticals by improving logistics management. The Government of Haiti had no data on healthcare waste disposal and practised smoky open burning, thus a need for capacity building on green healthcare waste management technologies for effective climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban slum kitchens use bio-fuel, which emanates smoke and black carbon. Expensive eco-stoves available in the market do not make use of India's perennial supply of warm sunshine to improve their efficiency. This forms the basis of our study. We propose a radical remoulding of slum kitchens, aimed at efficient bio-fuel burning and sunlight assisted seasoning in a desiccation chamber. This is possibly the first design anywhere in the world and has been funded by Villgro under the Young Innovator Programme. First, we use ecotect analysis to configure optimal daylighting, form and fabric of these kitchens. The results suggest that in Northern Hemisphere, the preferred orientation is south or south westerly. It is observed that such a chamber made of glass provides a temperature increase of 14 degrees C above the ambient. This will increase seasoning efficiency because the humidity content is lowered by 20%, causing a substantial decrease in smoke emissions. We base this study on Chennai city, where roughly 2 million people reside in slums. We use a USEPA plume dispersion model that accounts for the undulating topography, land and sea breeze effects, and most importantly, building downwash effects. The latter effect is important, particularly because the Chennai slums are located adjacent to high-rise buildings, causing a blocking flow. Finally, we present an environmental impact assessment analysis on emissions of these bio particles over distributed area sources, with and without the presence of the desiccation assisted eco stoves in slum kitchens. A cost benefit model is also presented to highlight economic gains that the Chennai city corporation would achieve if it provided a green subsidy for construction adaptation and proliferation of these new kitchen designs. We estimate that a reduction of approximately 50% in soot carbon emission can be achieved in less than 50 USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]