Global CO2 Emissions Fall 1.3 Percent

For the first time in over a decade worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 1.3 percent. Total global carbon dioxide emissions fell in 2009 to 31.3 billion tons. The Internationals Wirtschaftsforum Regenerative Energien, IWR, (a German based Renewable Energy Industry Institute), issued their annual report highlighting the drop in global CO2 emissions.  The IWR cited the global economic crisis and rising investments in renewable energies for the fall in emissions.  Global investment in renewable installations for power, heat and fuels last year rose to $161 billion. But IWR director Norbert Allnoch said given the force of the crisis, the reductions in CO₂ output could have been greater, had stronger output in Asian and Middle Eastern countries not overcompensated the savings obtained from declines in Europe, Russia, Japan and the U.S.  “The energy-induced CO₂ output in China in 2009 due to its economic growth has grown to a level now that is as high as that of the U.S. and Russia combined,” he said.  China in 2009 was in top position with 7.43 billion tones after 6.81 billion in 2008, followed by the U.S. with 5.95 billion (6.37 billion 2008). Russia was in third position, just before India, and followed by Japan.  This is a yes we can moment.  We can lower global emissions as long as countries and individuals invest in sustainable energy production. Hopefully Asian countries can accelerate their investments to keep pace with the Western Industrialized nations, despite their rapid growth rates.  The U.S. needs to accelerate its investments in renewable sources, especially in light of the disaster in the Gulf.  The yes we can moment can turn into yes we did it.