WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- An economic rebound in U.S. markets in 2010 was cited as the primary cause for a 3.9 percent increase in energy-related emissions, an energy agency stated.
Carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels in the United States were more than 5.6 billion metric tons in 2010. That's an increase of 3.9 percent compared with levels from 2009, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports.
The EIA said one of the primary factors influencing the rise in emissions was a 2010 increase of 3 percent in the U.S. gross domestic product.
"The 3.9 percent increase in emissions in 2010 was primarily driven by the rebound from the economic downturn experienced in 2008 and 2009," acting EIA Administrator Howard Gruenspecht said in a statement.
Economists say a debt crisis in Europe and sluggish growth in the U.S. economy, shaken by a downgrade in its credit rating, may signal the global economy is slipping back into recession.
The 3.9 percent increase is the largest since 1988. However, emissions are 6 percent less than levels recorded in 2005.
U.S. emissions increased on average about 0.6 percent every year since 1990.
