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Earth and environmental sciences cover all aspects of Earth and planetary sciences, and broadly encompasses solid Earth processes, surface and atmospheric dynamics, Earth system history, climate and climate change, marine and freshwater systems, and ecology. It also considers the interactions between humans and these systems.
Deploying carbon dioxide removal options at the urban scale could not only make a substantial contribution to the global mitigation of climate change but could also have large potential mitigation and adaptation co-benefits. However, upscaling at the global scale is constrained by numerous uncertainties, economic barriers and governance issues.
The protection, restoration and continued growth of existing European forests can help remove around 309 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, in line with the Green Deal 2030 target, according to a meta-analysis of carbon stocks from aboveground, belowground, and dead biomass.
Water in the mantle transition zone beneath Northeast Asia is sourced from the Earth’s surface and introduced by the subducted Pacific slab, according to a study of potassium isotopes from Cenozoic volcanics.
Hydrous minerals within the Earth affect volatile cycling and mantle geodynamics. Jun Tsuchiya explains how stable phases of these minerals are being uncovered at increasingly high pressures.