Will Brownsberger -- State Representative, Democrat, 24th Middlesex District

China is a gigantic wild card with the potential to substantially extend the growth of carbon emissions world wide, even if developed nations get their emissions under control.  China is unlikely to control its emissions without dramatic assistance or heavy economic pressure from developed nations.

On a straight carbon dioxide emission basis, the United States accounted for 24.0% of emissions, highest in the world, and was 5th highest per capita in 2000 (only exceeded by Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain).

European nations have suceeded in achieving a slight reduction in carbon emissions by switching from coal to gas for power generation. Overall, their energy use is actually increasing.

Available statistics allow an analysis of carbon emissions by broad type of economic activity.

Currently, the only renewable energy source which contributes a meaningful portion of the nation’s and Massachusetts energy supply is hydropower. 

About 1/3 of the United States total energy consumption of approximately 100 quadrillion BTUs (“quads”) is imported, up from less than 1/5 in 1973.  Most of our net imports were petroleum.  We import roughly 2/3 of our petroleum consumption.

Roughly 40% of carbon emissions are under direct individual control – half from transportation and half from electricity and heating in the home (as a nationwide average).   An additional few points can be controlled by diet changes.

Pursuant to the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has begun to produce Massachusetts Greenhouse Gas estimates which appear to be authoritative.

55 – 65% of GHG’s from United States agriculture are attributable to domestic livestock (feed exports are not attributed to livestock in this computation).

 Estimators fairly consistently place agriculture (actual production of crops and animal products)  at about 9-10% of the U.S. total of greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing animal product consumption may be a fairly direct route to reducing one’s greenhouse gas footprint and offers collateral health and environmental benefits.