Carbon emissions

China surpassed the United States in carbon dioxide emissions as early as 2006, according to a recent study by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

“[China’s] emissions increased 8 percent in 2007. The Chinese increase accounted for two-thirds of the growth in the year’s global greenhouse gas emissions, the study found.”

China now produces nearly 15% more carbon dioxide than the United States, although the U.S. still far outpaces China and the rest of the world in emissions per person.

“The average American is responsible for 19.4 tons [of carbon emissions per person]. Average emissions per person in Russia are 11.8 tons; in the European Union, 8.6 tons; China, 5.1 tons; and India, 1.8 tons.”

There are good and bad days here regarding air quality. The sun just came out after hours of steady rain and the view from my window is unusually clear and farsighted, which is not the case when it has not rained for a while.



Speaking of carbon emissions, the other day I watched an impressive talk by John Doerr, one of the most successful venture capitalists in the world, about the climate and energy crisis. He addresses China and notes that its size and pace of development is cause for alarm. It is a motivating and emotional speech. You can stream or download the video here.