A new report by the U.S. Climate Change Science program gives the first net reading on North America’s emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). It found that North America absorbs roughly one-third of what it emits, leaving the rest in the atmosphere to contribute to global warming.
The report came as climate researchers from around the world meet in Spain, and legislators bicker over proposed energy bills in the U.S. capitol. The researchers are assembling a consensus document to present to world leaders before the environmental summit in Bali in December. The lawmakers are considering taking the teeth out of an energy bill that many Americans hope will create an energy policy favoring cleaner air and renewable resources.
According to the report, North America is responsible for more than one-fourth of the CO2 released worldwide. In 2003 the region released 1,856 million metric tons of carbon into the air. Canada and Mexico combined for 15% of the total, and the U.S. made up the remaining 85%.
Tony King, lead researcher on the report and chief scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said the amount of carbon absorbed by the region had not been closely studied before, and some reports had even suggested the region was absorbing an amount equivalent to emissions.
The U.S. Climate Change Science report clearly states that is not the case.
King said the regrowth of young forests in the region – cut for timber or agriculture more than 100 years ago – is responsible for the majority of carbon absorption. As these forest grow older they will absorb less carbon, he said.
Lisa Dilling of the University of Colorado, a co-author on the report said, “Actions to reduce fossil fuel emissions are going to be required if we are interested in mitigating the effects” of climate change.
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