Posted on 06/02/2007 10:21:34 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
When it comes to their role in causing global warming, Californians can feel slightly less guilty than most Americans.
The average Californian generates fewer carbon dioxide emissions - the main heat-trapping gas blamed for warming the planet - than residents in all other states but Idaho, Vermont and Rhode Island, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.
California ranks second in total carbon emissions, trailing only Texas. But the country's most populous state is one of the lowest carbon emitters on a per-person basis.
Each person in California is responsible for about 24,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, 2003 emissions data shows. Wyoming, by contrast, emits 276,000 pounds per capita annually.
California has less heavy industry than many other states, and its mild climate means it doesn't use as much energy - or spew as many greenhouse gases - to warm or cool homes. But those factors alone do not account for its low per person carbon emissions, officials say.
Although Californians drive as much, live in similarly sized homes and use as many electronics and appliances as other Americans, policies enacted over the past three decades have helped the state squeeze more out of its electricity than nearly any other.
"California's energy-efficiency measures have allowed our energy use to remain constant while the rest of the country's energy use has increased dramatically," said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams.
The state's campaign to conserve electricity began during the 1970s oil embargo that sent energy prices soaring and persuaded policy makers to take action.
Since then, state energy regulators have barred utilities from buying power from highly polluting sources, including most coal plants, while requiring them to secure more electricity from renewable sources such as hydro, wind and solar.
California also was one of the first states to create energy-efficiency standards for new homes and buildings, as well as for power-sucking appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
State lawmakers are now considering legislation that would phase out incandescent light bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs that are several times more efficient.
Residents have done their part, too, said Claudia Chandler, assistant director of the California Energy Commission. The state's energy crisis in 2000-2001, when skyrocketing electricity prices led to rolling blackouts across the state, was a "wake-up call" that spurred many people to curb their household energy use, she said.
Altogether, the various conservation measures have eliminated the need for 20 large power plants, according to Chandler.
Last year, California became the first state to impose a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The landmark bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger requires the state to reduce emissions by an estimated 25 percent - about 174 million metric tons - by 2020.
Officials say the state could reduce its environmental impact further if they imposed fuel efficiency standards on automobiles, which discharge about 40 percent of the carbon emissions produced in California, officials say. But efforts to impose state-specific vehicle emissions standards have been tied up in the courts.
"California has a lot of policies that are the best in the country," said Bill Magavern, senior legislative representative for Sierra Club California. "If the rest of the country would follow California, we could reduce our national greenhouse gas emissions by a significant amount."
A look at carbon dioxide and its leading sources
http://www.bakersfield.com/119/story/155610.html
Carbon dioxide is the biggest man-made contributor to global warming. It’s caused by burning fossil fuels, the chief ones being coal and oil-based fuels like gasoline and diesel.
The federal government monitors four main “greenhouse gases” - those that hold heat in the atmosphere. They are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and halocarbons.
Carbon dioxide accounts for almost two-thirds of the man-made heat energy trapped in the air. Methane is second, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the extra heat.
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for at least 100 years.
Just how much carbon dioxide goes into the atmosphere depends on what fuel is burned. Here is how much carbon dioxide different fuels emit to produce the same amount of energy, 1 million British thermal units:
- Nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal electricity plants: zero.
- Natural gas: 117 pounds.
- Jet fuel: 156 pounds.
- Gasoline for cars: 156 pounds.
- Diesel for cars: 161 pounds
- Home heating oil: 161 pounds.
- Bituminous coal, the most abundant U.S. coal: 205 pounds
- Subbituminous coal, the second most abundant: 213 pounds.
- Lignite coal, the third most abundant: 215 pounds.
- Anthracite coal, the rarest in the U.S.: 227 pounds.
Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual greenhouse gas index; Department of Energy’s carbon dioxide emissions coefficients for different fuels.
Links:
NOAA’s Annual Greenhouse Gas Index
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/aggi/
The Department of Energy’s carbon dioxide emissions coefficients for different fuels
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/coefficients.html
From Wyoming to Idaho, the states’ per capita carbon emissions
http://www.bakersfield.com/119/story/155614.html
Here are the states ranked by carbon dioxide emissions per capita with No. 1 being the highest pollution per person. In parentheses are per-capita carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons. One metric ton is 2,204.6 pounds. The national average is 20 metric tons.
1. Wyoming (125)
2. North Dakota (80)
3. Alaska (69)
4. West Virginia (63)
5. Louisiana (40)
6. Indiana (38)
7. Montana (36)
8. Kentucky (35)
9. New Mexico (31)
10. Texas (30)
11. Alabama (30)
12. Oklahoma (29)
13. Kansas (29)
14. Iowa (27)
15. Utah (26)
16. Nebraska (25)
17. Missouri (24)
18. Ohio (23)
19. Arkansas (23)
20. Pennsylvania (22)
21. Mississippi (22)
22. Delaware (21)
23. Tennessee (21)
24. Minnesota (20)
25. Colorado (20)
26. Nevada (19)
27. Georgia (19)
28. Wisconsin (19)
29. South Carolina (19)
30. Michigan (18)
31. Illinois (18)
32. South Dakota (18)
33. Maine (18)
34. North Carolina (17)
35. Hawaii (17)
36. Virginia (17)
37. New Hampshire (16)
38. Arizona (16)
39. Florida (14)
40. New Jersey (14)
41. Maryland (14)
42. Massachusetts (14)
43. Washington (13)
44. Connecticut (12)
45. Oregon (11)
46. New York (11)
47. California (11)
48. Rhode Island (11)
49. Vermont (11)
50. Idaho (10)
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2003 figures.
Folks, you can not BELIEVE the daily drumbeat of “global warming” and climate emissions over here in Europe, esp on CNN. I even heard a story that made the statement that a jet liner caused “64 metric tons” of emissions on a single flight between the US and Europe.
Would someone please explain that to me? In light of the FACT that the aircraft did not take on 64 tons of fuel? What is really shocking to me is the WILLINGNESS to accept what ever the news says as fact without verification.
I feeel yur pain, really, I do.. and I’m saying that from California. ;-)
There are about a half dozen more of these “articles” on the ap wire to post, if I can get up the energy to, that is.
Just for this article I’m going to dig out my great grandfather’s AC crank it up to full and keep it running until either my room is a freezer or the thing finally gives out and dies.
I love that old thing, it guzzles electricity putting strain on our local power grid and its one of those pre-regulation ACs so there are plenty of sweet ozone eating chemicals. Any hippies are welcome and try to stop me.
please try.
Wyoming is the least populous state. It makes sense they would be number one per capita since they have fewer people to average things out. In terms of actual output they might be one of the cleanest states however.
Lies and damned lies and what difference does make for God’s sake? Nothing, not one thing. Let the metrosexuals, homosexuals, eco-freaks and others wring their hands over this stuff, lose sleep, not enjoy their lives.
Meanwhile, we’re going hunting, fishing, camping, tramping all OVER the land, even in open meadows where wildflowers are blooming (GASP!) and run our little camp trailer A/C on MAX all day and all night... Then hook ‘er up to a (paid for) full sized p/u and go spend some money at other places to help support the tourist economy there—wherever.
Our 9 yr. old p/u ain’t gonna be sold to buy some econobox truck that can’t pull anything and we’re only talking about a V-6 for Pete’s sake. My old ‘67 inline six with coffee can size pistons could pull practically anything, what a hoot and the dern thing was IRON/steel inside and out I’m telling ya—unstoppable, still going on some ranch I hear used by the fence crew, no fenders LOL!
How long is this man-made-Gorbal-warming-craziness going to last? The sun warms our planet. The state of California does not control climate change on our solar system planets! How long is this man-made-Gorbal-warming-propaganda going to be accepted? Are we really the dumbest nation on the earth?
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