TOTAL USA carbon emissions.
This gets real interesting to understand.
The shifting knowledge base.
See, one can play with the way USA Carbon Emissions is reported. With a growing population, now at over 300 million, the 'PER CAPITA' of carbon emissions in the USA looks less than the actual emissions noted above. Now mind you, these totals include the total emissions, including industry.
So, in an area with high carbon dioxide emissions from energy plants that burn some form of fossil fuel, IF, the population increases it would appear that the power plant is actually doing better 'PER CAPITA' on a local and regional level when in fact the carbon load is staying the same or increasing. I hate to say the obvious, but, with increased population there is increased energy demands AND exhaled carbon as well. Holding your breath does NOT decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Breath. Breath deep !
PER CAPITA Carbon Emissions.
KEVIN RUDD has called on the US to follow his example and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
But Mr Rudd, who ratified the protocol this week in his first act as Prime Minister, sidestepped when asked if he would press the US President, George Bush, personally when he visits Washington next year.
Mr Rudd said the ratification of Kyoto, opposed for years by the Howard government, gave Australia a stronger position when helping to negotiate a post-Kyoto global agreement for greenhouse gas reduction.
"We need to see our friends in America as part and parcel of that process as well," he said.
The US Under-secretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, said in Canberra yesterday that the Bush Administration would not ratify Kyoto but this should not be regarded as a slight to Australia.
Mr Rudd yesterday defended his decision that questions in the lower house on climate change would be answered by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, and not the Environment Minister, Peter Garrett.
He said climate change was primarily "a huge economic challenge".
Mr Swan and Treasury would be responsible for modelling the effects of a national emissions trading scheme, as well as any international agreement to which Australia would become a signatory, he said.
Phillip Coorey and Craig Skehan
