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 |
