Global warming pollution increased in all but two states nationwide between 1990 and 2004, according to “The Carbon Boom,” a new analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data released earlier this month by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). The past nine years have been among the 25 warmest for the contiguous United States, a streak unprecedented in the historical record. The report concludes that the failure to limit emissions nationwide has allowed global warming pollution to grow out of control.
“The Carbon Boom” finds that the United States could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more efficient and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Other major findings of the report include:
- U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption grew from almost 5 billion metric tons to almost 5.9 billion metric tons between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 18 percent. Emissions increased in every state but Delaware, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. Regionally, carbon dioxide emissions grew the most in the Southeast over the 15 year period. The states with the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2004 are Texas, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, and Georgia.
- The electric power sector—particularly coal-fired power plants—accounted for more than half (55 percent) of the U.S. emissions increase. The Great Lakes/Midwest region experienced the most dramatic increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants between 1990 and 2004. The states with the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants during this time period are Illinois, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana.
- The transportation sector—particularly cars and light trucks—accounted for 40 percent of the nation’s overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Regionally, carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector grew the most in the Southeast over the 15 year period. The states with the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption between 1990 and 2004 are Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and Arizona.
For more information and to read the full report, see the website of U.S. PIRG.