The Carbon Emissions Record Of The U.S. Before Biden
“A series of charts show the substantial progress the U.S. has made in cutting our carbon emissions consistent with our Paris Agreement goals. They also demonstrate why climate change is so low a priority for Americans. ”
We were fascinated seeing various charts dealing with climate change and carbon emissions, especially given the hype associated with the Biden administration’s policy actions. The charts came from various sources including newsletters, government web sites and other climate research sites.
The first chart highlighted data from the BP Statistics showing the top countries cutting their carbon emissions versus those with the greatest increases during 2019. The significance is that carbon emissions have continued to decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, but in the case of the U.S. they fell because our electricity generation sector continues its transition away from coal and toward natural gas and renewables.
Exhibit 10. Who Led The World In Cutting Emissions? SOURCE: Power Line
Highlighting both the coal-to-gas transition in the U.S. has been the long-term trend toward a less energy-intensive economy. These trends are demonstrated by the decline in carbon emissions per capita since 1973. Many people forget the dramatic energy use shifts that followed the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the eventual quadrupling of oil prices during the balance of that decade. Think about homes without insulation or double-pane windows, cars that only averaged 5-6 miles per gallon, and appliances gorging on energy, just to name a few.
Exhibit 11. Dramatic Improvement In Cutting U.S. Emissions SOURCE: Power Line
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) charted carbon emissions data in its latest Monthly Energy Report showing the national trend in annual millions of tons since the mid-1970s. It was interesting to observe the dramatic drop in emissions after oil prices doubled, but, with a recovering economy, emissions began rising again until oil prices doubled a second time at the start of the 1980s. From that point until 2005, emissions grew with a rising population, an expanding economy and cheap energy promoting its use regardless of emissions. Since then, the story has changed.
Exhibit 12. The U.S. Carbon Emissions Record SOURCE EIA
The chart showing the annual and trend in carbon emissions between 1990 and 2019 highlights the progress the U.S. has made in cutting its output since 2005. With projections showing that total carbon emissions in 2020 were down 9% - 10%, the U.S. is on a positive trend to meet, and potentially exceed, its Paris Agreement pledge. Surprisingly, the reductions are largely due to energy market dynamics as opposed to government mandates.
Exhibit 13. U.S. On Track To Meet Paris Climate Goals SOURCE:
One of the most important charts comes for environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg showing the dramatic improvement in climate related deaths since 1920. This speaks to better storm forecasting, plus improvements in where and how we construct our cities.
Exhibit 14. Climate-Related Deaths Are Sharply Lower SOURCE: Power Line
The last chart reflects the frustration of U.S. climate warriors in gaining traction for the cause with the population. The Pew Center survey, done annually, shows only 38% of people surveyed considered Dealing with Climate Change a “top priority” for President Biden and Congress. This ranked the issue 15th out of 19 priorities.
Exhibit 15. Public Doesn’t Rank Climate A High Concern SOURCE: Power Line
This survey’s sentiments, taken in early January, are in sharp contrast with the wave of executive orders Mr. Biden issued in his first days in office and his commitment to evaluate every administration policy action through a climate crisis lens. Does the President have his priorities wrong? The survey says so!