CO2 EMISSIONS FACT AND FICTION

[David OLIVIER]

Not many people are aware that in recent years

* the UK's per capita CO2 emissions have been rising approx. 2% per annum
* the USA's per capita CO2 emissions have been roughly static despite some disastrous developments such as 50M new SUVs, etc.

See www.oilendgame.com or do a web search using relevant keywords/phrases.

California's per capita electricity consumption is the same as it was in 1975 thanks to effective energy efficiency policies. No European country has done as well as this.

I wish the UK media would present the facts instead of "a good story". The notion that Blair's numerous speeches on the subject precede serious action to combat climate change is a triumph of spin over substance. Or am I too negative?!

[Nick Grant]

I'd be very surprised if Californian per capita electricity use is actually lower than European, do you have some figures? My sister lives in CA and I am always surprised how un-interested ordinary people seem about energy and water conservation so I'm interested to see the figures.

[Tahir]

I'd be very surprised if Californian per capita electricity use is actually lower than European

He doesn't say that, just that the rate of growth is greater in Europe. the US has had home A/C and large fridges etc since the 60s, we're only just getting round to it...

[Nick Grant]

Yeah I realised but % reduction starts out easy and gets harder as absolute gets lower.

If the Californians have had huge ineficient fridges etc for ages then we would expect a significant reduction in consumption  as kit gets replaced by more efficient stuff. In UK we are starting to aspire to such kit which partly counteracts the efficiency improvements of the kit.

Just a hypothesis, hence my interest in the energy per person.

[David OLIVIER]

Per capita elec. consumption is c. 5,800 kWh per head in the UK (rising 2%/year), 6,300 kWh in Denmark (also rising) and 7,000 kWh in California (static). So yes, they started from a higher base but during the determined pro-energy efficiency policies of 1985-95 (they had a glitch called "de-regulation" 1995-2000) consumption actually began to decline not just stabilise. And now the same trend may be starting again driven by a Republican governor - somewhat unexpected.

[Tahir]

Per capita elec. consumption is c. 5,800 kWh per head in the UK (rising 2%/year), 6,300 kWh in Denmark (also rising)

I find that surprising, I always thought the Scandinavians were way better than us in energy efficieny

[Nick Grant]

Thanks David, I would have guessed higher for California. Interesting.

Re Scandanavia it seems some things are better, others worse. Think Volvos with water based 'eco' paint but doing 25 mpg.

[Dan England]

Tony Blair? Spin over substance? First B&Q, now this! Can you people leave no reputation unspattered?