|
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the Rise Despite Increased
Signs of Global Climate Change
December, 2005 —
New reports show that while 2005 set records for high
temperatures, melting ice caps, and destructive storms – all
harbingers of global climate change – U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions are expected to skyrocket (by more than 37
percent) over the next 25 years. The United States
is responsible for approximately 25 percent of global
greenhouse gas emissions. At the international climate
change meeting that concluded last week in Montreal, U.S.
negotiators opposed discussion of new commitments. Many
local governments and individuals are taking action,
however, to reduce their own energy and transportation
emissions.
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, further talks on "future" action will be
held, but without the most important topic - new and binding
commitments to reduce emissions. The dialogue "will not open
any negotiations leading to new commitments." However, the
European Union, Canada, Japan, Russia, and other parties to
the Kyoto Protocol (which does not include the U.S.) will go
forward. They initiated a process for considering further
commitments for developed countries for the post-2012 period
when the Kyoto Protocol targets end.
In the meantime, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
announced that 2005 set several unprecedented and unwanted
records, all bearing the marks of global climate change. The WMO found that 2005 will be second - and could be the first
- hottest year on record, once gaps in data coverage are
filled. That would make it the eighth warmest year on
record. The last 10 years (1996-2005), with the exception of
1996, are the warmest years on record. The global mean
surface temperature in 2005 is currently estimated to be
+0.48 degrees Centigrade (oC) above the 1961-1990 annual
average (14oC). The extremely strong El Niño phenomenon can
impact climate, such as the 1997/1998 episode. The weak El
Niño conditions that developed in 2004 faded quickly to
near-neutral conditions by March 2005 and had little impact
on global temperatures.
According to the WMO, this year was also a record year for
hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, with 26 named tropical
storms. On average, 10 named storms develop in the Atlantic,
6 of which are hurricanes. The 2005 hurricane season broke
the previous record for the most named storms (21 storms in
1933) and for the most hurricanes (12 in 1969). In September
2005, Arctic sea ice was also at the lowest level ever
observed since the satellite record began in 1979.
Warmer-than-average Arctic temperatures and an early arrival
of the sea-ice melt season are the main causes for the
intensification of sea-ice decline in 2005. An increase in
the intensity of storms and the melting of the polar ice
caps, in addition to an increase in global mean temperature,
are all sentinels of global climate change.
Unfortunately, U.S. emissions trends are not slowing. This
month the Energy Information Administration projected that
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use in the United
States will increase by 37 percent by 2030 an increase from
5,919 million metric tons in 2004 to 8,115 million metric
tons in 2030. Carbon dioxide is
the primary greenhouse gas contributing to global climate
change. While the amount of energy used in the U.S. per
dollar of gross domestic product is declining, it's only
marginally ahead of the 1% per year prediction that the
Energy Information Administration projects happens anyway as
old technologies are eventually replaced by new ones. The
CO2 emissions intensity of the U.S. economy is projected to
fall from 550 metric tons per million dollars of gross
domestic product GDP in 2004 to 351 metric tons per
million dollars of GDP in 2030.
Again, the United States is responsible for approximately 25
percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and as described
above, its emissions continue to increase. As the world's
largest economy, and the world's largest emitter of
greenhouse gases, the United States is central to any
long-term strategy to address global climate change. Despite
federal opposition to the Kyoto Protocol targets, the
Boulder County Commissioners recently signed a resolution
pledging to meet the Kyoto targets, as has the City of
Boulder. In addition, nearly 200 mayors representing 40
million Americans have committed to taking action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
All of us can contribute through easy and moneysaving
efforts to conserve energy, the primary source of greenhouse
gas emissions. For example, replace incandescent light bulbs
with compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost a bit more, but
last years longer and use less energy. Look for the ENERGY
STAR® label when buying new home products. These products
have been reviewed for their energy efficiency excellence.
Caulk and weather-strip gaps in doors and windows; this not
only saves energy, but increases comfort. Lower your
thermostat when you're asleep or away. When used properly,
an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat with
four-temperature and time settings can save you $100 each
year on energy costs. Turn down the temperature of your water
heater to 120 degrees, or the medium setting, for a big
savings on your natural gas bill. Keep south and west
facing blinds and curtains open during the day to allow the
warmth of the sun to heat your home. Use alternative
transportation, such as the bus and carpooling, instead of
your car to reduce emissions and save on fuel costs.
For more information:
Air Quality Program, Environmental Health Division,
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH)
3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
(303) 441-1564,
www.BoulderCountyAir.org
Submit a Question Online
|
E-mail Public
Health |
Map & Directions
|
