Global Warming News

Global warming pollution in Arizona increased by 53.6% between 1990 and 2004, according to The Carbon Boom, a new analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data released today by Environment Arizona.  This is the first time that 2004 state-by-state data on carbon dioxide emissions have been released.

“Given the risks from global warming, it’s incredibly irresponsible for Arizona’s global warming pollution to increase.  It’s like the doctor telling you that you need to go on a serious diet, but instead you go straight for the Ben & Jerry’s,” said Environment Arizona program associate Erik Magnuson.

Environment Arizona’s report comes less than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a U.N. body charged with assessing the scientific record on global warming, released its consensus report on the current and projected impacts of global warming.  The report warned of increasing droughts, floods, heat waves, water stress, forest fires, and coastal flooding in the United States but concluded that “many impacts can be avoided, reduced, or delayed” by quickly and significantly reducing global warming pollution.

“Global warming pollution is skyrocketing in Arizona just as scientists are sounding alarms that we must rapidly reduce pollution to protect future generations.  This report is a wake-up call to cap pollution levels now before it is too late,” said Magnuson.

“The greatest threat to Arizona from climate change is dramatic loss of water supply as it gets hotter and drier,” said Rob Smith, Southwest Director for the Sierra Club.  “But Arizona can lead the way towards a solution by investing now in energy efficiency and in clean solar energy, because we are one of the sunniest places in the world.”

Using data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Arizona’s new report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption between 1990 and 2004, the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available.

Major findings of the report include:

•    Arizona’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption grew from 62.4 million metric tons to 95.9 million metric tons between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 54%. Arizona ranked 7th nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions over the 15 year period.
•    Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption increased by 18% between 1990 and 2004.  Coal-fired power plants and the transportation sector—especially cars and SUVs—drove this emissions increase.
•    In Arizona, carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas-fired power plants increased by 879% between 1990 and 2004, rising from 1.3 million metric tons to 12.9 million metric tons. Arizona ranked 3rd nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas-fired power plants over the 15 year period and ranked 6th in total carbon dioxide pollution in 2004.
•    In Arizona, carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline (primarily in cars and SUVs) increased by 63% between 1990 and 2004, rising from 14.3 million metric tons to 23.3 million metric tons.  Between 1990 and 2004, vehicle miles traveled in Arizona increased by 62%, increasing from 35,455 to 57,336, while cars and SUVs became less efficient. Arizona ranked 5th nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption over the 15 year period.

The United States could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more efficient and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.  

“The good news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future.  Arizona and the United States could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more efficient and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power,” said Magnuson.

Jeff Schlegel from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project highlighted energy efficiency issues saying, “Energy efficiency measures by saving energy can reduce carbon dioxide pollution while at the same time saving consumers money. We are supporting several bills this session that would help consumers, agencies and schools save energy and money.”

Tina Beattie from Republicans for Environmental Protection added, “Arizona has the opportunity to generate large quantities of renewable energy with solar power. With the most abundant solar resources in the country, we can make a significant reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by seriously committing to renewable energy.”