Olympic Peninsula Environmental News

Given our last post about the movie “A Sea Change” I thought this appropriate for better understanding the issue. Apparently our recession is affecting CO2 output. Only problem is that millions are out of work due to industrial slowdown. However, as we recover from the recession, it will get worse again…From the U.S. Government energy stats office:

This Outlook begins reporting projected carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, which fell by 3.2 percent in 2008.  We project CO₂ emissions will decline by 5 percent this year with lower CO₂ emissions from coal accounting for more than one-half of this decline.  Economic recovery next year and modest growth in energy consumption are expected to lead to a 0.7-percent increase in CO₂ emissions.

Carbon Dioxide EmissionsThis Outlook introduces a short-term forecast of CO₂ emissions from the consumption of the three fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, and petroleum. The economic downturn, combined with natural gas displacing some coal as a source of electricity generation, is projected to lead to a 5-percent decline in fossil-fuel-based CO₂ emissions in 2009 (U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Growth Chart).  We expect an improving economy to increase CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels by 0.7 percent in 2010.

Petroleum CO₂ Emissions. Petroleum CO₂ emissions are expected to decline by 4 percent in 2009, primarily due to declines in transportation sector consumption.  Although we expect little change in CO₂ emissions from motor gasoline during 2009, CO₂ emissions from other transportation petroleum fuels, particularly jet fuel (a 9.8- percent decline in consumption), distillate fuel oil (an 8.2-percent decline), and residual fuel oil (a 6.3- percent decline), are expected to fall significantly.  CO₂ emissions from petroleum in 2010 are projected to increase by 0.6 percent, which is lower than the 1.5-percent increase in total petroleum consumption primarily because of the continued growth in the biofuel share of the transportation fuel markets.

Coal CO₂ Emissions. Fuel switching in the electric power sector and declines in industrial use are projected to lead to a 7.9-percent decline in coal-based CO₂ emissions for 2009.  Increases in coal consumption, primarily in the electric power sector, are expected to lead to a 1.1-percent increase in coal CO₂ emissions in 2010.

Natural Gas CO₂ Emissions. Natural gas-based CO₂ emissions are projected to decline by 2.3 percent in 2009 despite significant consumption increases in the electric power sector.  Natural gas consumption is expected to decline in 2009 for all other major sectors.  CO₂ emissions from natural gas are expected to grow slightly in 2010 as natural gas consumption increases by 0.5 percent.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html

Filed under: Climate Change |