The report, however, fails to account for the fact that we have essentially outsourced a great deal of what would have otherwise been U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to China.

There is a reason why China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal -- they are making items for export to the United States and the rest of the world.

So, while not belittling the achievement of increased use of alternate and renewable energy sources in the U.S., the truth is that there is a very big reason not noted in this report for why this is happening.

We have cleaner air in the U.S. because the air has become deadly in Beijing.

Just like it was our problem when US exports to the rest of the world were king.

You take the money, you take the responsibility.

Somewhere around 90% of the products Americans consume end up in a landfill within a year. Think of the supply chains to deliver products that are intended for almost immediate disposal and replacement. Think of an economy that requires such profligacy in order to meet the targets that we call "healthy economic growth." That culture must change for our emissions to go down, wherever those products are being manufactured.

Everything else is just talk.

Ultimately, that requires a global solution. The physics of the Earth's atmosphere is indifferent to national borders or political blame shifting.

Now if only China, and India would follow suit.

Oh, and get rid of the damn coal, because there is no such thing as "clean coal."



FYI-- Prii is the plural of Prius.

Imagine that. We reduced our carbon emissions and grew the economy. Sure some of that may be due to transferring manufacturing to China but outsourcing jobs to foreign countries has been going on long before 1994.

Bottom line, if you want to increase efficiency, which will be the lynch pin of controlling carbon emissions, you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO STOP SUBSIDIZING CHEAP ENERGY. In a true market place the cost of energy will actually reflect what it costs to make it. If it's cheap because of government subsidies and policies no one is going to take the steps to use it to the upmost of efficiency.