Powering Our Way to Global Warming

Ohio%20Coal%20Fired%20Power%20Plant.jpg Despite growing demand for renewable energy, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy increased in 2005. According to the agency’s report, ‘U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy Sources: 2005 Flash Estimate’, energy related carbon dioxide emissions increased from 5,903 million metric tons in 2004 to 5,909 million metric tons in 2005. The report suggests that this 0.1% increase is a result of a growing reliance on coal fired power plants. Coal related emissions increased 1.4%, while emissions from both petroleum and natural gas derived energy decreased since 2004. The report states that coal produces the most carbon dioxide per unit of energy, but petroleum, which is consumed at a higher rate, produces the largest volume of carbon dioxide emissions. In general, the rise in carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to a reported 2% increase in demand for electricity. Although progress has been made in increasing the supply of renewable energy, this report makes it clear that we need to address energy consumption in an effort to fight climate change. See also ::On the Road to Global Warming and ::In America, Global Warming Doesn't Even Register