- Carbon dioxide emissions resulting from energy consumption in the U.S. grew by a record amount in 2021 compared to 2020 levels, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
- The nation’s carbon emissions rose by 7%, the highest percentage increase ever recorded, as the U.S. produced more than 4.9 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide in 2021, representing a 325 million metric ton increase from 2020, according to an EIA report released Wednesday.
- The growth in emissions was spurred by an increase in economic activity following the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns that heavily reduced energy demand.
