U.S. carbon dioxide emissions fell 8 percent between 2007 and 2011, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports. The decline in U.S. emissions stands in stark contrast to a 9 percent increase in global emissions during the same time period.
The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) tracks every nation’s carbon dioxide emissions. There is typically a lag time of one to two years between the end of each calendar year and the time EIA publishes updated global carbon dioxide data.
U.S. Emissions Down, Global Up
The most recent EIA data show U.S. carbon dioxide emissions continued their long-term decline in 2011. Despite modest economic growth, U.S. emissions declined 3 percent in 2011. Globally, carbon dioxide emissions rose 3 percent in 2011.
China has accounted for nearly all the increase in global emissions since 2007. Chinese emissions increased nearly 40 percent during 2007-2011, accounting for 85 percent of the global emissions increase.
EIA has yet to publish global emissions data for 2012. The agency has, however, published U.S. emissions data for 2012. According to EIA, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions declined another 4 percent in 2012.
EPA Restrictions Unnecessary
The EIA data undercut the Obama administration’s assertion that the United States must impose dramatic energy restrictions to reduce carbon dioxide restrictions. Technological advances and market forces are reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions without severe EPA restrictions promised by the Obama administration.
U.S. Share Drops 5 Percent
In 2011, the United States produced 17 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, down from 20 percent in 2007. This year, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are expected to 15 percent or less of global emissions.
Alyssa Carducci ([email protected]) writes from Tampa, Florida.
