Here’s some excellent news that affects air quality and perhaps climate change – the latter depending on other areas of the world. What does this imply for those wanting to live more sustainably?
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Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Keep Falling in the U.S.
Despite continued economic growth,
emissions in the U.S. are on a steady decline
thanks in large part to cheap natural gas.
May 10, 2016
Carbon dioxide emissions in the United States fell again in 2015, according to new data from the federal government. Though the levels increased slightly in 2013 and 2014, last year’s drop is in line with the gradual decline that’s been occurring for a decade. The nearly 5.3 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide the country added to the atmosphere in 2015 is 12 percent smaller than that number in 2005.
Most of the reduction comes from burning less coal. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, changes in the national mix of electricity production—especially the shift toward cleaner-burning natural gas—accounted for 68 percent of the emissions reductions between 2005 and 2015.
A relatively mild winter likely also contributed to the drop seen in 2015. The number of so-called “heating degree days,” an indicator that reflects energy use for heating, was the lowest since 2012.
Fluctuations in annual emissions have also historically tended to reflect economic changes, as seen in the fairly dramatic decrease in 2009, when the country was in a recession.
More recently, however, the U.S. economy has continued to grow even in years that have seen decreases in emissions. In 2015 the economy was 15 percent larger than in 2005, but the country emitted 23 percent less carbon dioxide per dollar of GDP last year compared with 10 years prior.
Europe has also seen a general decline in emissions despite continued economic growth, and a small drop in global emissions in 2015 was the first that did not coincide with a worldwide economic downturn (see “Have Global CO2 Emissions Peaked?”). Whether or not this will continue, however, will depend heavily on how developing economies—especially China and India—meet growing demand for energy.
In the U.S., the decoupling of emissions from economic growth was largely a result of the boom in domestic gas production thanks to hydraulic fracturing. And while the deployment of renewable energy technologies has also increased substantially of late, burning natural gas instead of coal for electricity will likely continue to be the main contributor to emissions declines for years to come.
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The trend away from fossil fuels is underway – and is happening at a faster pace than most anyone might have predicted. While the oil-based industry continues to experience environmental disasters – the most recent being a huge oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico from Shell underwater pipelines – solar and wind power cause no such problems.
As solar photovoltaic power now costs less than coal, the coal industry is in a rapid decline, with many of the largest companies now declaring bankruptcy. However – the photovoltaic industry now employs more people than coal, offers better wage rates, and has growing demand. While it’s never as smooth as it sounds, employment will simply transfer from one industry to another, with a better outcome for everyone.
At our own micro level, we can power our homes 100% with photovoltaics and, using Powerwall batteries, we can be free of the grid and our electric bills, and enjoy more reliable power for less money.
Adding a few more PV panels also lets us power electric cars, so the cost per mile is even less … as we continue to support cleaner air. While several options exist for EVs in the 70-80 mile range, if you often travel two to three times that distance on a charge, Tesla can do that. And their recharge stations are always within range – coast to coast – and are free.
And as we get down to site maintenance, we have electric mowers and the usual array of home and garden tools – all of which can be electric and PV powered.
The trend is underway; it’s up to each of us to continue making the transition to sustainable living. It’s healthier and less expensive.
