Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists at UC Davis and Stanford University. The study, published Jan. 10 in Science, shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Salk Institute scientists have created the first single cell genomic atlas of mature plants' outer armor layer, called the periderm, and its carbon-capturing phellem cells. The findings will be useful in creating more robust, climate change-fighting plants.

A joint U.S.-Japan project funded by the NSF and JST, involving researchers from FAU, Lehigh University, and Japanese institutions like Kyoto University, aims to develop a human-centered flood risk management framework. Supported by a $1 million grant, the three-year project focuses on integrating natural conditions, public perceptions, policies, and the impacts of flooding on vulnerable groups such as low-income, minority, disabled, and elderly populations.

With the continuous growth of global energy demand and the intensification of environmental issues, CO₂ emissions have surged dramatically, reaching up to 54 billion tons annually, drawing worldwide attention. Converting CO₂ into high-value chemicals not only helps mitigate global climate change but also promotes the development of the carbon cycle and green chemistry. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reactions offer an effective pathway for this conversion, and porous materials, with their unique physicochemical properties, have shown tremendous potential in these reactions.