U.S. projects steep rise in greenhouse gases by 2020
By 2020, the United States will emit almost one-fifth more gases that lead to global warming than it did in 2000, increasing the risks of drought and scarce water supplies. That projection comes from an internal draft report from the Bush administration that is more than a year overdue at the United Nations. The Associated Press obtained a copy Saturday.
The draft report, which is still being completed, projects that the current administrations climate policy would result in the emission of 9.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, a 19 percent increase from 7.7 billion tons in 2000. Doing more than slowing the growth rate of greenhouse gas emissions, which remains the administrations stated goal, will be decided as the science justifies, according to the draft report. The biggest source of the gases is the burning of fossil fuels, chiefly oil, coal and natural gas.
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