“EPA tracks
total U.S. emissions
by publishing the
Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks.
This annual report
estimates the total
national greenhouse
gas emissions
and removals
associated with
human activities
across the
United States.
The primary sources
of greenhouse
gas emissions
in the United States are:
Transportation
(nearly 28.5 percent
of 2016 greenhouse
gas emissions)
– The transportation sector
generates the largest share
of greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gas emissions
from transportation
primarily come from
burning fossil fuel
for our cars, trucks,
ships, trains, and planes.
Over 90 percent of the fuel
used for transportation
is petroleum based,
which includes gasoline
and diesel.
Electricity Production
(28.4 percent of 2016
greenhouse gas emissions)
– Electricity production
generates the second largest
share of greenhouse gas
emissions.
Approximately 68 percent
of our electricity
comes from burning
fossil fuels, mostly coal
and natural gas.
Industry
(22 percent of 2016
greenhouse gas emissions)
– Greenhouse gas emissions
from industry primarily
come from burning
fossil fuels for energy,
as well as greenhouse gas
emissions from certain
chemical reactions
necessary to produce
goods from raw materials.”
Commercial and Residential
(11 percent of 2016
greenhouse gas emissions)
– Greenhouse gas emissions
from businesses and homes
arise primarily from
fossil fuels burned for heat,
the use of certain products
that contain greenhouse gases,
and the handling of waste.
Agriculture
(9 percent of 2016
greenhouse gas emissions)
– Greenhouse gas emissions
from agriculture come from
livestock such as cows,
agricultural soils,
and rice production.
Land Use and Forestry
(offset (reduction) of 11 percent
of 2016 greenhouse
gas emissions)
– Land areas
can act as a sink
(absorbing CO2 from
the atmosphere)
or a source of
greenhouse gas emissions.
In the United States,
since 1990,
managed forests
and other lands
have absorbed
more CO2 from
the atmosphere
than they emit.
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