Government Agency Reports Greenhouse Emissions Up Last Year

Greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. were up by 1.4 percent in 2007, after a decline the previous year, according to newly released figures in a report from the Energy Information Administration, the statistics arm of the Energy Department.

To put this in context, greenhouse gas emissions, comprised of mostly carbon dioxide, have increased by a total of 16.7 percent since 1990. The bad news in the U.S. was outpaced in China, where carbon dioxide emissions alone rose by 7.5 percent from 2006 to 2007. Total global carbon output, compared to the previous year, was up by 3 percent.

Some good news here is that the U.S. and China are working together on a number of projects intended to reduce pollution. At a meeting in Beijing this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson talked about the June U.S.-China agreement for ten years of cooperation on energy and environmental issues, which includes many corporate partnerships. Paulson also said U.S. officials expect to leave Beijing with new agreements on short, medium and long-term goals for clean air, clean water, electricity generation, transportation, and protecting wetlands and other natural areas.

Although three-quarters of the American public believe that global warming is a proven fact, public attitudes on this issue are remarkably divided along political party identification and ideological lines. Democrats are far more likely to say the effects of climate change have already begun, while more Republicans believe that the threat tends to be exaggerated in the news.

Overall, there has been very little movement in public concern about climate change. Despite the finding that seven in 10 say they are at least "somewhat worried" about global warming, the issue ranks surprisingly low on a list of environmental concerns.

Be sure to check out our Climate Change Choicework Discussion Starter and the climate change guide in our Citizen's Survival Kit for more about the root of the problem, detailed charts and statistical background, and three possible solutions -- including pros and cons for each approach.