A report released today by Climate Central asks a provocative question: Can United States carbon emissions keep falling?
This comes with the year 2050 in mind, by which time climate scientists have said there needs to be a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if the worst impacts of climate change are to be avoided. The report by Eric D. Larson from the Energy Systems Analysis Group at Princeton shows that American carbon emissions have dropped by nearly 9 percent since 2005.
The downward trend comes largely as a result of the recession, increased use of natural gas and solar and wind power, and advancements in energy-saving technologies. But the study suggests that the downward trend won’t continue.
Once the economy rebounds, the recession’s restrictive impact on carbon emissions will probably fall away, the report suggests. A stronger economy means greater demand for energy – and when 80 percent of the country’s energy comes from fossil fuels, carbon emissions will probably spike again. Then add in a rising population, which will draw yet more energy. The author says optimistic projections for the future based on the current 9 percent decrease in carbon emissions forget to take these factors into account.
I'd say this is an interesting question, not necessarily provocative, unless the blog formerly known as Green, Inc., is trying to irritate Joshua.
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