State's CO2 output jumps, environmental group says
Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News
Published April 14, 2007 at midnight
Colorado's emissions of carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas considered the major driver behind global warming - grew 39 percent from 1990 to 2004, according to figures compiled by environmental activists.
The increase was the fifth- largest among states and compares with a national increase in carbon dioxide emissions of 18 percent in the same time frame, Environment Colorado said Thursday.
Environmentalists said the data, compiled using information from the U.S. Department of Energy, show that Colorado needs to take more steps to use alternative energies and take advantage of existing technologies to make cars, power plants and businesses more efficient.
"Colorado needs to be a leader, not a laggard, in protecting the climate," said Matt Baker, executive director of Environment Colorado, in a statement. Baker noted that figures show Colorado's carbon dioxide emissions surpass those of 175 other nations.
A key reason for Colorado's increase - from 65.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 1990 to 91.4 million metric tons in 2004 - was more fuel burned in cars and SUVs. Activists said vehicle miles traveled in Colorado grew 69 percent in that time span, the third-highest rise in the country.
In Colorado, figures from 2004 - the latest year for which data is available - show that the bulk of carbon dioxide emissions are linked to electricity generation (44 percent), transportation (31 percent) and industrial activities (13 percent).
Dennis Arfmann, a Boulder attorney who has represented energy companies, refineries and manufacturers, said environmental groups need to point the finger not only at industry, but at the way we all live, work and get around.
"We as a society have to figure out: How do we get out of our cars? How do we build our houses and office buildings so they don't consume as much energy?" Arfmann said. "Energy companies aren't the problem. Society is the problem, and our consumption of energy and our need for energy is the ongoing problem."
hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048
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