April 17
Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States increased by about 1 percent in 2005 compared to the previous year, according to newly published figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Total emissions of six main greenhouse gases in 2005 were equivalent to 7.26 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to the EPA. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
The report, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2005, indicates that overall emissions have grown by 16 percent from 1990 to 2005, while the U.S. economy has grown by 55 percent over the same period.
The inventory tracks actual emissions as well as so-called sinks or reductions from the air that are achieved through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation and soils.
EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said that despite the modest increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the trend is positive.
"As America´s economy continues to grow, our aggressive yet practical strategy is putting us on track to reach President Bush´s goal to reduce our nation´s greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012," Johnson said.
The EPA prepares the report annually for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle climate change.
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