WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. carbon dioxide emissions increased 0.9 percent in 2003, but were below the average annual growth rate of 1.1 percent, energy officials said Wednesday.
Department of Energy figures showed CO2 from burning fossil fuels increased to 6,380 million tons last year from 6,323 tons in 2002. The increase was below the average annual growth rate since 1990, however, which during that 12-year period boosted overall U.S. CO2 emissions by about 16 percent.
Some factors leading to the increase in 2003 included economic growth, colder winter weather and an increased dependence on coal and petroleum in electric power generation due to high natural gas costs.
CO2 emissions also increased in both the residential and commercial sectors, by 2.5 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
Emissions from transportation, which account for nearly one-third of the total released carbon dioxide, increased 0.5 percent from 2002.
CO2 is considered a greenhouse gas, a chief contributor to global warming.
