Improve the quality of Washington's natural resources
Indicator 1: Reducing Impacts on the Environment
Measure a: Trends in Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Description:
Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas emitted by human activity in Washington. There was a distinct fall-off in CO2 emissions in 2001 and 2002 as economic activity was impacted by the post 9/11 recession. The resumption of economic growth in 2003 resulted in a return to an upward trend in CO2 emissions.
Carbon dioxide emissions for Washington have increased over time, despite improvements in energy efficiency though it does appear that the rate of increase is slowing.
Per capita emissions had remained relatively constant between 1977 and 2000. More recent per capita emissions have held at a lower level since 2002.
Annual emissions per constant dollar Gross State Product (GSP)* have declined significantly since 1977.
| Trends in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions Relative to Population and Gross State Product |
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| Year | CO2 Emissions (millions of tons) |
Tons of CO2 Emissions Per Capita |
Tons of CO2 Emissions Per Million $ GSP |
| 1980 | 61.7 |
14.9 |
61.6 |
| 1985 | 62.1 |
14.1 |
54.8 |
| 1990 | 79.0 |
16.1 |
55.0 |
| 1995 | 86.0 |
15.7 |
52.0 |
| 2000 | 96.1 |
16.3 |
43.3 |
| 2005 | 89.8 |
14.3 |
36.9 |
Sources:
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration