U.S. carbon dioxide emissions during the first quarter of 2012 were the lowest since 1992, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports.
Contrast to Global Trends
The decline in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions provides a sharp contrast to global emission trends. In 2000, U.S. emissions totaled 5.9 billion metric tons, while global emissions totaled 23.7 billion metric tons. Accordingly, the United States accounted for 25 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2000.
By 2010, the most recent year for which EIA has global data, U.S. emissions fell to 5.6 billion metric tons, while global emissions rose to 31.8 billion metric tons. Accordingly, the United States accounted for just 18 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2010.
The first-quarter 2012 U.S. emissions numbers indicate the U.S. share will likely fall further to 15 percent of global emissions this year.
Chinese Emissions Growing
The 2010 numbers show China emitted more carbon dioxide than the entire Western Hemisphere. Chinese emissions approximately tripled between 2000 and 2010, while U.S. emissions declined. Preliminary data indicate Chinese emissions continued their steep rise between 2010 and 2012, while U.S. and Western Hemisphere emissions continued to decline.
China accounted for 12 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2000, but that rose to 26 percent in 2010.
Internet Info:
“Today in Energy,” U.S. Energy Information Administration, August 1, 2012: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=7350
“Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Consumption of Energy,” U.S. Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/iedindex3.cfm?tid=90&pid=44&aid=8&cid=regions&syid=2000&eyid=2010&unit=MMTCD
