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Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Track to Set Record

If economy continues to recover, emissions likely to rise

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 22, 2010 2:38 PM CST

(Newser) – The bad news: Greenhouse gas emissions could hit record highs this year, a new study shows. The kinda good news: Researchers say a recovering economy is to blame. Scientists found that—despite the financial crisis—global carbon dioxide emissions only dropped by 1.3% last year compared to 2008's record highs, less than half the 2.8% reduction that was predicted. Why? While western economies reduced emissions after being hit hard by the financial crisis, emerging economies that were not as devastated actually experienced a rise in emissions.

The UK, US, Japan, Germany, and Russia experienced emissions decreases from 6.9% to 11.8%, but emissions from China, India, and South Korea rose between 1.4% and 8%, LiveScience reports. Researchers now predict that if the economy continues to grow, emissions will increase by more than 3% this year.

Traffic stands congested on a road in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 5, 2010.
Traffic stands congested on a road in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 5, 2010.   (AP Photo/ Manish Swarup)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
red_ox
Nov 22, 2010 7:27 PM CST
I hope we don't have to evacuate earth w/in my lifetime :(
armywife
Nov 22, 2010 5:55 PM CST
you know, whether or not you believe in global warming/climate change, whether or not you believe it is man-made or natural, is really beside the point. the point is that by dithering and bickering about this, we are missing out on the technology of the future, squandering a golden business opportunity. china and india and other countries are busy developing alternative energy sources like wind turbines and so forth, and they are leaving us in the dust. one day we'll have to buy all our wind turbines from frikkin China, just because the GOP wont get on board with green energy now.
finkster
Nov 22, 2010 4:34 PM CST
Is there a species in the universe more stupid than humans? I think not and if there are...they too are heading for extinction.

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