New Study Predicts Global Emissions Will Rise 3% Annually
Global emissions dropped in 2009 as a result of the economic recession; however, a new study in the journal Nature Geoscience says emissions are on track to rise 3% per year.
The study's analysis found that global emissions from fossil fuels dropped 1.3% in 2009, far below what experts predicted. The research also highlights a new dichotomy in emissions production: many developed countries are seeing a dip in emissions, while developing nations' emissions are rising steadily.
Major industrialized economies like Japan, England, and Germany all saw significant drops in carbon emissions last year. Japan's dropped 11.8%, England's 8.6%, Germany's 7%, and the United States' 7%. Meanwhile the two largest developing economies, China and India saw their emissions rise markedly. China's increased 8%, while India's grew 6.2%.
Dr. Pierre Friedlingstein, the study's lead researcher says 2009's emissions drop was a tiny blip on the radar: "What we find is a drop in emissions from fossil fuels in 2009 of 1.3%, which is not dramatic. If you think about it, it's like four days' worth of emissions; it's peanuts."
Read the full story at the BBC: 2009 carbon emissions fall smaller than expected
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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