Why The U.S. Leads The World In Reducing Carbon Emissions. According to Forbes, “Following my previous story on the pause in U.S. liquefied natural gas exports, some readers had a hard time believing that the U.S. leads the world in reducing carbon emissions. Some suggested this was only true for per capita emissions, or that it isn’t true if you consider methane leaks. But, neither of those comments are accurate. Per the 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy, over the past 15 years, the U.S. has experienced the largest decline in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of any country. From the report, this reflects “the sum of carbon dioxide emissions from energy, carbon dioxide emissions from flaring, methane emissions, in carbon dioxide equivalent, associated with the production, transportation and distribution of fossil fuels, and carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes.” Thus, this includes leak estimates, as explicitly noted in the report.” [Forbes, 2/4/24 (=)]

Cutting Methane Emissions Is Key To Combating Climate Change. According to Orlando Sentinel, “ Much to my astonishment, my utilities bill increased by $50 in December. When I studied the bill, the gas used was significantly more than usual. Despite all my strategies to become an electric home, my furnace still runs on gas. Like most houses in my area (and those still being built), my house was “gas ready.” The original furnace was gas while a gas fireplace in the living room added appeal for buyers. The fireplace, which I stopped using about eight years ago, is now wasted space. The last time I thought about using it, the living room filled with so many fumes that I thought the carbon monoxide alarm would sound any second.” [Orlando Sentinel, 2/2/24 (=)]

How the U.S. Became the World’s Biggest Gas Supplier. According to the New York Times, “In just eight years, the United States has rocketed from barely selling any gas overseas to becoming the world’s No. 1 supplier, a remarkable shift that has profited oil and gas companies and strengthened American influence abroad. But climate activists worry that soaring exports of liquefied natural gas could make global warming worse. Last month, the Biden administration said it would pause the permitting process for new facilities that export liquefied natural gas in order to study their impact on climate change, the economy and national security. Even with the pause, the United States is still on track to nearly double its export capacity by 2027 because of projects already permitted and under construction. But any expansions beyond that are now in doubt.” [New York Times, 2/3/24 (=)]

The United Nations Wants The US To Eat Less Meat — Try Telling That To Congress. According to The Hill, “As last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai drew to a close, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released its report on how climate action can transform agriculture and ensure nutritional security. In D.C., the report highlights a contentious issue with a common-sense conclusion. Here’s the problem. The FAO called for countries like the United States to reduce meat consumption to combat global warming. Meanwhile, the U.S. Farm Bill spends billions to make high-emissions meat cheap for consumers and profitable for factory farms. The policy implications are clear: For the U.S. to live up to its climate commitments, it must stop subsidizing factory farming. Factory farming extends far beyond the burgers and steaks on dinner plates nationwide. It’s a systemic problem, funded by the federal government, that requires policy solutions. Factory farming is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, mainly methane and nitrous oxide. Animal agriculture emissions in the U.S. exceed emissions from the entire transportation sector. Moreover, these emissions are faster-acting and more environmentally disastrous than traditional carbon emissions. Lowering factory farming emissions gives us a much longer runway to a clean energy future. “ [The Hill, 2/4/24 (=)]