America or Europe, Which does more to destroy the environment?

Question

I suggest you read up on this before you condem America for destroying the environment


U.N. data show U.S. greener than EU
By Jennifer Harper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 23, 2007


Finger-pointing critics often vilify Americans as the sole cause of global warming. But the typical image of SUV-driving, energy-hogging Yankees may be bogus -- a new analysis of U.N. data reveals that U.S. efforts to reduce greenhouse gases actually beat European policies.
"Despite constant criticism from environmental activists at home and across Europe claiming the U.S. government is doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, new evidence suggests America's efforts are more effective than those of Europe's," according to a study by H. Sterling Burnett of the Dallas-based National Center for Policy Analysis, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute.
The United States has spent more than any other country on research and technologies to reduce emissions, Mr. Burnett wrote, and the business-led efforts are paying off.
"The U.S. is doing a far better job reining in its emissions than Europe, even though it has a faster-growing economy and population," Mr. Burnett said. "Rather than signing treaties that look good on paper but do nothing to really bring about reductions, U.S. industry has taken the lead as a business matter, reducing emissions as a matter of efficiency -- saving costs and improving the bottom line."
Mr. Burnett's scrutiny of data from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report released Feb. 2 revealed that the U.S. rate of growth in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 to 2004 was eight percentage points lower than from 1995 to 2000. The original 15 nations of the European Union increased emissions by 2.3 percentage points.
From 2000 to 2004, greenhouse gas emissions from the EU countries grew at nearly double the U.S. rate. During the same time period, the U.S. economy grew by almost $1.9 trillion, "the equivalent of adding Italy to the U.S. economy," Mr. Burnett wrote in the analysis, released Wednesday.
The U.S. population increased by 11.3 million people, more than the population of Greece, he found.
"U.S. businesses are succeeding where European bureaucracy is failing," Mr. Burnett said. "Further, efforts like the Asian-Pacific partnership will do far more than [the] Kyoto [Protocol] to have a lasting effect on greenhouse gas emissions."
The Asian-Pacific partnership is a nonbinding plan to cooperate on development and transfer technologies that would enable greenhouse gas reductions.
Meanwhile, Americans may not be quick to buy into the assertions of "An Inconvenient Truth," former Vice President Al Gore's documentary that is in contention for an Oscar award Sunday.
Global warming is not a "top-tier" issue, according to a Pew Research survey of 1,708 adults. Respondents ranked the issue fourth from last in a 23-item list of policy priorities for the White House and Congress. Only 19 percent expressed "deep concern" about global warming. A minority -- 47 percent -- blamed it on human activity. Among conservative Republicans, the figure was 20 percent; among liberal Democrats, 71 percent.
"The issue is of relatively low priority for members of both parties," the survey said. It was conducted Jan. 10 to 15, with a margin of error of three percentage points.

Answer 1

"according to a study by H. Sterling Burnett of the Dallas-based National Center for Policy Analysis, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute"

That paragraph's the biggest laugh I've had all day, thanks for the comic relief!

Answer 2

oooooooooo look...

United States:
Change in GHG Emissions (1990-2004) = +16%
EU Assigned Objective for 2012 = N/A
Treaty Obligation 2008-2012 = N/A

United Kingdom:
Change in GHG Emissions (1990-2004) = -14%
EU Assigned Objective for 2012 = -12.5%
Treaty Obligation 2008-2012 = -8%

"Comparing total greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 to 1990 levels, the US emissions were up by 16%, with irregular fluctuations from one year to another but a general trend to increase. At the same time, the EU group of 23 (EU-23) Nations had reduced their emissions by 5%"

The statistics don't lie

Answer 3

I didn't even bother reading the blurb because its come from a governnet agency, therefore only fit for the bin. America will not stop its way of pollution and thats the fact, the Kyoto agreement they through in the fire, so while Europe tries to cut emissions the US does not.
On top of all the other crap they have created in their very short life span of a country

Answer 4

Looks like you`ve answered the question yourself - and, it seems you are anti-Europe.
America is not an angel in this topic, your government - not your American people - refuses to even recognise that there is a major problem, your government pays lip service to the big money companies, as do a lot of other countries.
It`s time that the rest of the worlds leaders - like America - opened their eyes to the fact that the earth is losing the battle against pollution.
As for your country America - "let he without sin etc...."

Answer 5

I don't think I have ever condemed america for destrying the environment. Do you have proof of that?

But China is one to watch. If the UK stopped all CO2 emissions tomorow, then China would have caught up in 18 months time.

Answer 6

Any comparation between them is pointless, yet I would point at the fact that European authorities unlike their American counter-part do try to raise public awareness of the phenomenon. So do the best you can to save the planet, because China and India are comming up and they don't seem to have a very strong idea of environment protection.

Answer 7

I expect we're all chipping in when it comes to the destruction of the environment. Honestly, if we put as much energy into finding solutions as we do into finger pointing as to who's destroying it more and then sulking about the finger pointing, we'd probably be much better off!!!

Answer 8

sign up to the kyoto agreement like the rest of the world then come back with your question. usa is the most wasteful and dangerously stupid country in history

Answer 9

I'm only concerned about the U.S. ecology. I couldn't care less about cancer rates in Europe or the pollutants in their drinking water.

Answer 10

Yawn! sorry just finished reading the book above!!!!! With all the **** that comes out of George Bushes mouth i think it is the USA!