WILLisms.com: Trivia Tidbit Of The Day: Part 417 -- CO2 & Kyoto.

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Trivia Tidbit Of The Day: Part 417 -- CO2 & Kyoto.

America Is Doing Better Than Kyoto Countries At Controlling CO2 Emissions-

I stumbled upon this claim (via Amy Ridenour) regarding CO2 emissions in Europe and the United States:

I would point out that ... there is a carbon cap system in place in Europe, we are doing a better job of reducing emissions here," Snow said.
The White House said Snow was referring to figures from the International Energy Agency that from 2000 to 2004, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion grew by 1.7 percent, while in the European Union such emissions grew by 5 percent.

Interesting that ABC News would discount the claim as being merely a "White House" point.

As if they just made it up. Or maybe the data is not verifiable or is under dispute. Or something. Actually, CO2 emissions in the United States rose 1.66% (total, not annually) from 2000 to 2004. And in Europe over the same time, carbon emissions rose 5.12%

Other countries of note (still 2000 to 2004)--

Canada: Up 3.48%.

Cuba: Up 4.36%.
Venezuela: Up 6.88%.

Belgium: Up 2.62%.
France: Up 1.47%.
Germany: Up 1.79%.
Italy: Up 9.24%.
Netherlands: Up 7.36%.
Spain: Up 15.09%.
Sweden: Up 7.11%.
Switzerland: Down 0.11%.
United Kingdom: Up 5.20%

Russia: Up 8.26%.

Israel: Up 6.58%.

South Africa: Up 13.46%.
Zimbabwe: Down 12.95%.

Australia: Up 9.34%.
New Zealand: Up 6.10%.

China: Up 55.31%.
India: Up 11.21%.
Japan: Up 6.05%.

Broken down into regions--
North America: Up 1.80%
Central/South America: Up 5.12%.
Europe: Up 5.12%.
Eurasia: Up 9.87%.
Middle East: Up 21.49%.
Africa: Up 12.67%.
Asia/Oceania: Up 30.05%

World: Up 13.38%.

Here's the data, and a graphic with some of those numbers:

Incidentally, during the Gore/Clinton administration, from 1993 to 2000, U.S. carbon emissions rose 12.5% (6.02% in the first term; 4.82% in the second term).

Meanwhile, China, which, contrary to popular belief, did sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol (.pdf), has found all sorts of loopholes.

So...

Why don't we hear more about this sort of thing? From the administration, from Republicans more generally, from the media, from global warming experts... why don't we hear more about these numbers?

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Posted by Will Franklin · 12 February 2007 11:33 PM

Comments

This isn't entirely fair. We aren't doing better per se by any intentional control or market pressure, it is just as our economy matures into an IP and service market, it is less dependent on CO2 for its economic output. We generate something like 50% more GPD per barrell of oil than we did in the 70's (uncited)

Posted by: Jeff at February 14, 2007 01:05 PM

WOW, you hear a lot about how bad the USa is, mostly from the hate America first crowd, but to see it in a graph is very revealing. Looks like all the money and effort we put into technology and clean systems pays off big time. Just what Bush says. The Euro-weenies and their socialism is not capable of generating the funds to pay to clean up. Who would have thought.

China, well communism never was good for anything, except in the minds of liberals.

Posted by: bill at February 15, 2007 07:24 AM

Probably nothing to do with the US putting money and effort into technology and clean systems, I'm afraid.

What's astonishing is you guys think there's a "hate America" liberal media conspiracy on this, yet a quick google reveals that the US media have been chock full of this one-sided rightwing GawdblessAmerica guff you're all uncritically peddling.

At least get another perspective:

www.net.org/warming/docs/ US_GW_emissions%20_2000%20-%202004.pdf

Posted by: Euroweenie at February 19, 2007 03:46 PM