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The energy statistics report put out by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) this past Wednesday unveiled that carbon dioxide pollution had increased by 1.4 percent in 2007. 2006 had seen a welcome decrease in pollution, but most of that decrease was attributed to decreased use of heat and air-conditioning that year because of rather favorable weather conditions in North America.
For 2007 we were not so lucky on the weather front and both the cold winter and warm summer accelerated the need to burn more fuel for U.S. citizens to keep comfortable. This news comes as no surprise, as since the year 1990, the average increase of greenhouse gas emissions has risen a little less than 1 percent each year.
Getting down to some specifics, in 2007 the U.S. emitted around 384 million metric tons of nitrous oxide (5.3 percent of total emissions), which is equal to a 2.2 percent increase overall. Emissions of the three industrial greenhouse gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) increased by 3.3 percent, which is equal to about 177 million metric tons (2.4 percent total emissions).
Agricultural emissions from farming and the "exhaust pipes" of various farm animals was also on the rise for 2007 with 700 million metric tons of methane being blasted into the air (9.6 percent of total emissions). This equals to about a 1.9 percent increase from the year before. While these numbers depict an emissions increase, the overall outlook for the U.S. for the next 25 years shows at least some promise.
Future U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide is predicted to increase at an average rate of 0.5 percent per year, which is half of the 1.0 percent it has been for the past 20 years. This half percent decrease should be enough to drop the current 21 percent of U.S. share in carbon dioxide emissions down to about 16 percent, which is a respectable 5 percent improvement overall.
It is China and India whose current emissions projection is the most alarming today. In the next 25 years, China's emissions are projected to account for nearly 47 percent of the projected increase between the years 2005 and 2030. India will account for the second largest share at 8 percent.
Also on the alarm in the near future is the worldwide distribution of industrial type greenhouse gases, which includes the above mentioned HFCs, PFCs and SF6. These three pollutants seem to be especially on a record rise and could exceed a 150 percent increase by the year 2010 the report suggests.
What can we do about this relatively bad, yet slightly promising news?
Well, by controlling your patronage towards the various industrial manufacturers who are working to reduce their greenhouse gases, we can further support the businesses who are in turn supporting the environment. Choosing alternative fueled vehicles in the future is another positive step we could all make.
But in particular, this report warns us that we need to get involved with environmental issues on a more global level rather than just national. For too long we have seen the world as us and them, but in reality when it comes to pollution we are all in this together! Learn more about what the Natural Resources Defense Council is doing to help Green China!
As far as the gaseous farm animal problem goes, it is obvious that better diets are in order, but some farmers are thankfully already working on that.
More worldwide pollution numbers:
Public Transportation: By the Numbers
Green Cars: By the Numbers
Green Wardrobe: By the Numbers
Green Cleaning: By the Numbers
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