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US carbon emissions fall to lowest levels since 1994 | US carbon emissions fall to lowest levels since 1994 |
(about 4 hours later) | |
America's carbon dioxide emissions last year fell to their lowest levels since 1994, according to a new report. | America's carbon dioxide emissions last year fell to their lowest levels since 1994, according to a new report. |
Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 13% in the past five years, because of new energy-saving technologies and a doubling in the take-up of renewable energy, the report compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) said. | |
The reduction in climate pollution – even as Congress failed to act on climate change – brings America more than halfway towards Barack Obama's target of cutting emissions by 17% from 2005 levels over the next decade, the Bloomberg analysts said. | The reduction in climate pollution – even as Congress failed to act on climate change – brings America more than halfway towards Barack Obama's target of cutting emissions by 17% from 2005 levels over the next decade, the Bloomberg analysts said. |
By the end of last year, America's emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions had fallen 10.7% from the 2005 baselines. | By the end of last year, America's emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions had fallen 10.7% from the 2005 baselines. |
That drop puts Obama in a better position to defend his environmental achievements, which have often gone overlooked in the bitter rows over climate science. | That drop puts Obama in a better position to defend his environmental achievements, which have often gone overlooked in the bitter rows over climate science. |
It may also buoy up America's standing in the global climate negotiations. | It may also buoy up America's standing in the global climate negotiations. |
"There have certainly been some solid results on the board in the US as a result of all these changes," Ethan Zindler, a BNEF analyst said. | |
A report last year by the independent thinktank Resources for the Future also suggested America was on course to meet those targets. | A report last year by the independent thinktank Resources for the Future also suggested America was on course to meet those targets. |
Lisa Jacobson, president of the BCSE, said the Bloomberg findings exposed the conservative argument that acting on climate change would be a drag on the economy. Instead, carbon emissions declined even as GDP was going up, she noted. | Lisa Jacobson, president of the BCSE, said the Bloomberg findings exposed the conservative argument that acting on climate change would be a drag on the economy. Instead, carbon emissions declined even as GDP was going up, she noted. |
As described by Bloomberg, the US is in the throes of a major shift in energy production. Coal fell to just 18.1% of America's energy mix last year, down from 22.5% in 2007. Oil use also declined. | As described by Bloomberg, the US is in the throes of a major shift in energy production. Coal fell to just 18.1% of America's energy mix last year, down from 22.5% in 2007. Oil use also declined. |
The explosion of natural gas production, thanks to fracking, filled much of the gap. America got 31% of its electricity from gas-fired power plants last year. | The explosion of natural gas production, thanks to fracking, filled much of the gap. America got 31% of its electricity from gas-fired power plants last year. |
But the report found steadily expanding installation of wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy. Renewables represented the largest single source of new growth last year, reaching $44bn in 2012, the report said, the report said. | But the report found steadily expanding installation of wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy. Renewables represented the largest single source of new growth last year, reaching $44bn in 2012, the report said, the report said. |
Over the same time span, total energy use fell since 2007, by 6.4%, the report said. Most of the emissions cuts were due to installing more efficient heating and cooling systems in commercial building. | Over the same time span, total energy use fell since 2007, by 6.4%, the report said. Most of the emissions cuts were due to installing more efficient heating and cooling systems in commercial building. |
Other cuts in emission came from transport, with 488,000 Americans last year opting for hybrid and plug-in vehicles. | Other cuts in emission came from transport, with 488,000 Americans last year opting for hybrid and plug-in vehicles. |
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