根據美國環保署(EPA)15日所公佈的年度報告顯示， 整體而言，2006年美國的溫室氣體排放量，與上一個年度相較降低了1.1%。
溫室氣體的排放，來自於燃燒用作能源的石化燃料如煤、石油與天然氣，製造業及交通運輸等，而溫室氣體減少了其排放過程中、進入太空所損失的熱量，因此提高了全球氣溫。
EPA表示，導致氣候暖化的主要氣體，即二氧化碳，2006年美國的排放量已降低。因為美國人民在2006年所燃燒的石化燃料與用電量，已較2005年為低
EPA進一步表示，與2005年相較， 2006年的冬天較為溫暖，此一現象減少了暖器燃料的消費；夏季也較涼爽，從而減少了對電力的需求。EPA補充，運輸燃油消耗量的降低，導因於燃料價格的不斷上漲。最後，電力產業中的天然氣與可再生能源使用量的增加，也有助於降低二氧化碳的排放。
EPA公佈的報告「1990年至2006年美國溫室氣體排放與降低之紀錄」，為美國每年呈交聯合國秘書處氣候變遷公約一系列的報告中最新的一份；此份報告為整合政府部會間的力量以應付氣候變化帶來的挑戰，而所制定的一個總體框架。
EPA空氣暨輻射辦事處(EPA's Office Air and Radiation)首席副助理署長邁爾斯(Robert Meyers)表示，「自1993年以來，EPA的專家們已建立了美國溫室氣體排放量的紀錄清單。我們對於溫室氣體排放來源的理解，是對付氣候變遷最主要的關鍵。」
2006年六種主要溫室氣體的排放量，相當於70億5420萬公噸重的二氧化碳。這些氣體包括二氧化碳、甲烷、氧化亞氮、氫氟碳化合物、全氟和六氟化硫。該報告指出，1990年至2006年總體排放量增長了14.7% ，而同期美國經濟卻成長了59%。
根據EPA此項報告指出，煤碳的燃燒，目前為止是溫室氣體最主要的來源；其次為車輛，例如汽車和卡車，其燃油所產生的廢氣，是製造溫室氣體的次要來源。而發電廠天然氣的燃燒，為溫室氣體來源的第三位；發電廠石油的燃燒則名列第四位；溫室氣體排放位居第五位的是氧化亞氮，為農業土壤處理的過程中所散發的氣體。
EPA編制的年度報告，不但與來自各個聯邦機構的專家共同協作，並且匯集全美各地資助者廣泛的意見。此份紀錄追蹤全美的年度溫室氣體排放，同時也呈現自1990年至2006年溫室氣體排放紀錄。此外，該紀錄也計算二氧化碳的排放，從大氣中的下移，如森林、植被和土壤，將二氧化碳從空氣中分離出來。
詳細內容請參閱EPA 2006年溫室氣體紀錄報告。
Overall, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 1.1 percent lower during 2006 than the previous year, according to the latest annual report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, released today.
Emitted by the burning of the fossil fuels coal, oil and gas for power, manufacturing and transportation, greenhouse gases reduce the loss of heat into space raising global temperatures.
The agency says emissions of the main climate warming gas carbon dioxide decreased in 2006 because Americans burned less fossil fuels and used less electricity than they did in 2005.
Compared to 2005, the winter of 2006 was warmer, which decreased consumption of heating fuels, and the summer was cooler, which reduced demand for electricity, the EPA said.
Fuel consumption for transportation went down because of rising fuel prices, the agency said.
And finally, the increased use of natural gas and renewables in the electric power sector also contributed to the lowering of carbon dioxide emissions.
The report, "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2006," is the latest in an annual set of reports that the United States submits to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
"Each year since 1993, EPA's experts have built a comprehensive inventory of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions," said Robert Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office Air and Radiation. "Our understanding of emission sources is paramount to combating climate change," he said.
Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2006 were equivalent to 7,054.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.
The report indicates that overall emissions have grown by 14.7 percent from 1990 to 2006, while the U.S. economy has grown by 59 percent over the same period.
Burning coal produces by far the most greenhouse gas emissions, with mobile combustion such as cars and trucks responsible for the next highest amount of emissions. Burning gas in stationary power units produces is the next highest source of emissions, with burning oil in stationary power units not far behind.
The fifth highest source of emissions is direct nitrous oxide, N2O, emissions from agricultural soil management, according to the report.
EPA prepares the annual report in collaboration with experts from multiple federal agencies and after gathering comments from a broad range of stakeholders across the country.
The inventory tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions at the national level and presents historical emissions from 1990 to 2006.
The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by "sinks," such as forests, vegetation and soils, which take up carbon dioxide from the air.
To view the 2006 greenhouse gas inventory report, click here.
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