Mixed picture on CO2 levels

Emissions of global warming gases from the United States have nearly doubled in the last fourteen years, reaching a peak in 2004, according to figures released by the US energy department.

Emissions had risen by 2%, standing at 7,122.1 m tonnes of CO2. The equivalent to 25% of the global output. Due to strong US economic growth, 2005 figures are expected to be similar or greater.

The data comes just two weeks after the US government claimed at the Montreal climate talks that the voluntary approach to reducing emissions was proving successful.

Despite a lack of leadership on a federal level, the governors of seven north-east states agreed to work together to reduce their emissions on their own and will begin to trade carbon under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) from 2009. The states involved include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. They intend to cap emissions from power stations then implement a reduction strategy. Some of the money generated from the buying and selling of carbon credits will be used to encourage the use of efficient machinery, buildings and appliances.