Hard Times Finally Drop USA Greenhouse Gas Emissions

There’s a positive side to the US economic woes – greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions finally dropped, year over year in 2008. While the European Union has been working hard over the past 10 years to reduce their GHG emissions, the USA  has steadily spewed out more global warming GHG year after year. A sharp economic decline during the second half of the year has temporarily put an end to this constant increase. Energy related carbon dioxide emissions fell 2.8% in 2008, over the 2007 level.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which is before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is calling for a 17% cut in GHG emissions during the next 11 years and 83% by mid-century. These are reductions to the 2005 GHG levels, and not the 1990 base year levels used by the Kyoto protocol. Yet, it’s a big step in the right direction. Let’s hope we can keep the momentum going.

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Filed under: Climate Change