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California ARB: GHG emissions fell below 1990 levels for first time in 2016; down 13% from 2004 peak; transportation emissions up 2%

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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that greenhouse gas emissions in California in 2016 fell below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004—a reduction roughly equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road or saving 6 billion gallons of gasoline a year.

2004 225
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New phase of globalization could undermine efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

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A new study finds that the growth of carbon production from Chinese exports has slowed or reversed, reflecting a “new phase of globalization” between developing countries that could undermine international efforts to reduce emissions. The paper is published in Nature Communications. trillion) in 2014.

Global 170
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EIA: US energy-related CO2 emissions down 1.7% in 2016; carbon intensity of economy down 3.1%; transportation emissions up

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US energy-related CO 2 emissions decreased by 89 million metric tons (MMmt), from 5,259 MMmt in 2015 to 5,170 MMmt in 2016. over that period, other factors contributing to energy-related CO 2 emissions more than offset the growth in GDP, leading to a 1.7% Natural gas CO 2 emissions have increased every year since 2009.

2016 150
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EEA: increase in EU GHG emissions, mostly due to transport, hampers progress towards 2030 targets

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Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the European Union rose slightly in 2017, mostly because of the transport sector. emissions increase in 2017 from 2016. This limited increase means that the EU is still expected to achieve its 2020 emissions reduction target, albeit by a narrower margin. from the year before.

Emissions 257
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EPA: US greenhouse gases up 2% in 2013; increased coal consumption, cool winter

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US GHG emissions by sector, 1990-2013. Total US greenhouse emissions were 6,673 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013, an increase of 2% (127.9 over the prior year, according to the EPA’s newly published Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2013. Total US emissions have increased by 5.9%

2013 150
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Study: air pollution may shorten telomeres in newbornsa sign of increased health risks

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A study conducted before and after the 2004 closure of a coal-burning power plant in Tongliang, China, found that children born before the closure had shorter telomeres than those conceived and born after the plant stopped polluting the air. In May 2004, high levels of air pollution in Tongliang prompted the government to shut down.

Pollution 170
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Bloomberg NEF forecasts falling battery prices enabling surge in wind and solar to 50% of global generation by 2050

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The result will be renewables eating up more and more of the existing market for coal, gas and nuclear. Coal emerges as the biggest loser in the long run. However, coal consumption was also up, growing for the first time since 2013. Coal’s share in primary energy in 2017 fell to 27.6%, the lowest since 2004.

Wind 220