Progress so Far

The United States Carbon emissions per person are down about 20% from 1990 levels and almost 50% on a per real GDP basis (Gross Domestic Product minus inflation).  

Green efforts are not in vain and have been a big part of our progress, however they must be increased. Emissions overall are relatively flat over the last 30 years as our population and economy continue to grow.

Some of the contributing factors to the decrease include better gas mileage, more efficient buildings, and more efficient space and water heating.

References

  1. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Real gross domestic product per capita.  https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A939RX0Q048SBEA. Accessed March 10, 2021.
  2. United States Bureau of Economic Analysis. Gross Domestic Product. Supplemental Information and Analytical Data. “Current Dollar and Real GDP”. https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product. Accessed March 10, 2021
  3. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Greenhouse Data Inventory Explorer. All Sectors > All Gases > All Years. https://cfpub.epa.gov/ghgdata/inventoryexplorer/#allsectors/allgas/econsect/all.  Accessed March 10, 2021