Record Increase in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sparks Global Controversy
Wednesday April 19, 2006
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased 1.7 percent between 2003 and 2004, setting a new global record for the highest level of emissions ever recorded by any country. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the new figures quietly on Monday, April 17, 2006, but they didn’t remain quiet for long. British scientists quickly condemned the increase and criticized the United States for failing to lead the international effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming.
Carbon dioxide drove the overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said the rise in carbon dioxide emissions was due primarily to increased fuel and electricity consumption during a period of U.S. economic expansion. He pointed out that emissions of two other greenhouse gases—methane and nitrous oxide—both decreased from 1990 levels by 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
"The Bush Administration has an unparalleled financial, international and domestic commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," Johnson said. "Even with a dramatic increase in economic activity, the U.S. is making significant progress toward the president's greenhouse gas reduction goals by working with our partners to reduce their climate footprints in cost-effective ways, both at home and abroad."
Professor David Read, the vice-president of The Royal Society in the U.K., said that the United States and Britain both need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"The figures published this week show not only that the U.S. emissions are not decreasing, but that they are actually increasing on an annual basis," Read told The Independent. "And while the U.K. appears to be doing slightly better, its carbon dioxide emissions have been rising annually for the past three years.
"The U.S. and the U.K. are the two leading scientific nations in the world and are home to some of the best climate researchers,” Read said. “But in terms of fulfilling the commitment made by their signature to the UN convention to stabilize greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, neither country is demonstrating leadership by reducing their emissions to the levels required.”
The figures released by the EPA show that total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased 15.8 percent between 1990 and 2004. The United States now accounts for roughly a quarter of all manmade greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere worldwide.
"The science justifies action now by all countries to both adapt to climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Read said.
More information:
Carbon dioxide drove the overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said the rise in carbon dioxide emissions was due primarily to increased fuel and electricity consumption during a period of U.S. economic expansion. He pointed out that emissions of two other greenhouse gases—methane and nitrous oxide—both decreased from 1990 levels by 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
"The Bush Administration has an unparalleled financial, international and domestic commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," Johnson said. "Even with a dramatic increase in economic activity, the U.S. is making significant progress toward the president's greenhouse gas reduction goals by working with our partners to reduce their climate footprints in cost-effective ways, both at home and abroad."
Professor David Read, the vice-president of The Royal Society in the U.K., said that the United States and Britain both need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"The figures published this week show not only that the U.S. emissions are not decreasing, but that they are actually increasing on an annual basis," Read told The Independent. "And while the U.K. appears to be doing slightly better, its carbon dioxide emissions have been rising annually for the past three years.
"The U.S. and the U.K. are the two leading scientific nations in the world and are home to some of the best climate researchers,” Read said. “But in terms of fulfilling the commitment made by their signature to the UN convention to stabilize greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, neither country is demonstrating leadership by reducing their emissions to the levels required.”
The figures released by the EPA show that total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased 15.8 percent between 1990 and 2004. The United States now accounts for roughly a quarter of all manmade greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere worldwide.
"The science justifies action now by all countries to both adapt to climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Read said.
More information:
- Record Increase in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reported – The Environmental News Network
- Scientists condemn US as emissions of greenhouse gases hit record level – The Independent
- Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2004
- Press Release – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Comments
No comments yet. Leave a Comment