US carbon emissions down 1.3% in '06
The Energy Information Administration has reported the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States actually dropped by 1.3 percent in 2006 compared to the previous year. That's the first actual decline since 2001 and the first time since 1990 that it has dropped during a year of economic growth. Emissions dropped in 2001 largely due to a shrinking economy that resulted from recession.
As expected, the president took the opportunity to brag about how his policies and regulations have started to have an impact on climate change. He claimed that among other factors that contributed to the drop of 78 million tons were
Any reduction in gasoline use was probably a combination of some older cars wearing out and reduced consumption due to high gas prices. Although a one year reduction is a good first step if it is indeed real, we need sustained reductions in fossil fuel use across the board to address both environmental and national security concerns. Given this administration's history with manipulating data it remains to be seen if these numbers are accurate and whether it is the start of a real trend or just a statistical blip.
[Source: Washington Post]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
werepants 4:58PM (5/24/2007)
Hmm, biased a bit? First, you say the president is bragging, and then you say that he attributed the change to weather - which you spelled "whether". Unless Bush is claiming he can now call forth low temperatures and rain, it sounds like he is doing a fair job at giving credit where it's due. Listen, I understand it makes you popular to knock on Bush, but I don't come to this site for political commentary.
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Andy 8:04AM (5/25/2007)
And the left and the "greens" certainly manipulate data to suit their arguments. After all, nobody ever got reseach money for saying things were OK. Please keep your dislike of Bush to the editorial page. All I ask is factual reporting.
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Thomas Goss 11:01AM (5/25/2007)
First, It is a fact that this Administration edited climate reports from NASA to hide the fact that Global Warming was actively happening. This was exposed by Congressional Investigation.
He did sign into law the an energy bill that incouraged ethanol developement. I will give that to him!
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AMcA 9:27PM (5/25/2007)
We're not in recession. The economy is not shrinking. It's just not growing as fast.
Ergo, we are getting more efficient. Good news!
And let me rant a moment: it also proves that high prices DO cut consumption. Which is why we ought to be just taxing petroleum, not passing mileage standards while keeping gas prices low.
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