Like many companies looking for a boost with consumers, President Bush has jumped on the green bandwagon over the last year. But, as with many companies, the facts and actions don’t support the language.
Yesterday Bush released a statement that would have American citizens believe the nation is making significant strides to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) under his leadership.
Bush pointed to a final report by the Energy Information Agency (EIA), stating that U.S. GHG emissions declined 1.5% in 2006 from 2005 levels. Combined with a 2.9% in the growth of the U.S. economy for the year, the president notes that U.S. GHG intensity decreased 4.2%–GHG intensity being a measure of emissions per unit of economic intensity.
He goes on to say, “This puts us well ahead of the goal I set in 2002 to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012.”
But the figures are misleading. First, small percentage reductions in GHG intensity in a growing economy are nowhere near equivalent to the major overall emissions cuts needed to halt and reverse the buildup of GHG in the atmosphere.
Second, the 2006 emissions reductions were the result of higher energy costs, a warmer winter that cut heating demand, and a greater use of natural gas instead of coal in energy production–not policy leadership.
Free market enthusiasts will say the higher energy costs are evidence of the almighty market’s ability correct all ills. But market forces will not lead to 80% reductions in GHG by 2050 without legislative assistance. Especially if the market propels the search for arctic oil fields and the burning of even more fossil fuels.
As to the warmer winter, I suppose one could argue that we have more warm winters to look forward to as global warming continues. But the flip side is that our summers will be warmer as well, prompting greater A/C use and electricity demand.
And the increased reliance on natural gas is only a half-win for the environment, as natural gas releases less GHG than coal, but is not a clean resource like wind, solar or geothermal. As the world’s energy demand grows over the next century, increased use of natural gas will continue to add to the greenhouse effect.
What president Bush did not say in his statement was that carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks rose last year 0.3% to 1.19 billion tons. They have risen steadily since 1990, even with increases in the price of gas, and will continue to do so without legislation demanding higher fuel efficiency.
The United States accounts for about one-fifth of the world’s emissions of GHG. What we need is a complete rethinking of how we do business and lead our lives, and that requires strong leadership.
In his statement Bush pointed to the meeting he hosted this fall for leaders of the world’s largest economies to discuss climate change. He chose not to mention, or failed to notice, that the nations present were sorely disappointed–though probably not surprised–that Bush failed to make any concrete commitments or show willingness to begin a strong global movement.
The closing sentence of his statement read, “Our guiding principle is clear: we must lead the world to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and we must do it in a way that does not undermine economic growth or prevent nations from delivering greater prosperity for their people.”
On the surface that sounds great, but based on his track record, I have to believe the economic growth he is afraid of undermining is that of the oil industry–not the clean technology sector–and I just don’t believe that his idea of “fewer greenhouse has emissions” is the same as mine.
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