U.S. greenhouse gas emissions grew the most of any G20 country last year : NPR

Key Points:

• A new United Nations report highlights that global emissions remained steady last year, but the United States uniquely saw a significant increase in planet-warming pollution, making it a major contributor to climate change.
• The U.S. and Russia lead the G20 in per capita greenhouse gas emissions, with the U.S. increase driven by higher electricity demand and policies under the Trump administration that favor fossil fuel use and roll back environmental protections.
• Despite global energy security concerns due to conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, several G20 countries, including the European Union, have managed to reduce emissions by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• The Trump administration has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement and is disengaging from U.N. climate initiatives, reversing previous environmental protections and denying greenhouse gases pose a health threat.
• The report warns the planet is on track for a dangerous 5 degrees Fahrenheit warming this century, far exceeding the Paris Agreement target of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and stresses that urgent, substantial emission cuts are needed to avoid catastrophic climate impacts.