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In the couple of weeks break Ive taken from the blog to recuperate from knee surgery, Ive been following sustainability-related news. One item that caught my eye was news of a study from the Earth Policy Institute that carbon emissions have dropped significantly in the U.S. over the past couple of years, in part due to the slower economy, but also because of gains in efficiency and greater use of renewable energy resources.
According to the institutes study, domestic emissions between 2007 to 2009 could end up dropping 9 percent. Some of this drop is attributed to lower energy needs during the sharp economic downturn. In other words, less sales and commerce requires less production, logistics, and burning of fuels, which cuts carbon emissions versus a growing economy. But the institute also says efficiency gains and a greener energy mix also are contributing to the drop in emissions.
For instance, the study notes, some 22 coal-fired power plants in 12 states are being replaced by wind farms, natural gas plants, wood chip plants, or efficiency gains. The study also notes that in 2008, a total of 102 wind farms came online, providing more than 8,400 megawatts of generating capacity.
The institute draws the conclusion that significant carbon emissions reductions are perhaps easier to attain than we may think. It doesnt suggest that climate change regulations are unnecessary
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