U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions increased 1.6 percent in 2007, according to the Energy Information Administration. Factors at fault, according to the EIA: wacky weather that increased the need for heating and cooling, and “a higher carbon intensity of electricity supply.” (Our electricity supply is carbon-intensive? Who knew?) The agency was quick to point out that GDP grew 2.7 percent in 2007, so “greenhouse-gas intensity” — the unimportant measure by which U.S. officials like to pretend they’re making progress — actually dropped. CO2 emissions from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas have grown 19.4 percent in the U.S. since 1990. Thank goodness there haven’t been any discernible side effects.
