In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen dramatically to its lowest level in 20 years, and government officials say the biggest reason is that cheap and plentiful natural gas has led many power plant operators to switch from dirtier-burning coal.The drop occurred despite all the flaring in the Bakken.
Many of the world’s leading climate scientists didn’t see the drop coming, in large part because it happened as a result of market forces rather than direct government action against carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.
This is not entirely true....that part about "market forces only." The government has put in strict environmental controls. In fact, I assume the president should take credit for this turnaround when he defends his well-known position to kill the US coal industry.
One of the hottest US summers on record; record drought; and CO2 emissions at a 20-year low.
Just saying.
The story continues:
In a little-noticed technical report, the U.S. Energy Information Agency, a part of the Energy Department, said this month that total U.S. CO2 emissions for the first four months of this year fell to about 1992 levels. The Associated Press contacted environmental experts, scientists and utility companies and learned that virtually everyone believes the shift could have major long-term implications for U.S. energy policy.Like fracking.
Just saying.
For sure this is indescribable good news and government had very little to do with it. The oil and gas industry DID BUILD THIS and not the government. How about that.
ReplyDeleteGive humans the freedom to be innovative and get the heavy hand and boot of government out of the way and it is amazing what can be accomplished.
Government should return to its roll of making sure the environment for business is an equal playing field and quit picking winners and losers. The current regime of crony capitalism has got to be replaced.
Is Al Gore on suicide watch?
I can only assume Al is in one of his many homes in the US or on some overseas beach enjoying the good life.
ReplyDeleteYep the good life of a crook and snake oil salesman.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the most disappointing "things" I've experienced in my adult life (in the arena that we are now in) is the "cheapening" of the Nobel peace prize, and perhaps, the Nobel prize in economics (technically not a Nobel prize, if I remember correctly).
DeleteHow "global warming" qualified for "Peace Prize" I will never know. There was a reason it was not nominated for one of the science categories.
And some of the other winners (not even counting Barack) have been incredibly poor choices. I think as school children, we idolized such recipients; as adults ... we see the hypocrisy. Yassar Arafat?