Our collective activity is contributing to the increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The most common sources are transportation, electricity production, industry, commercial and residential buildings, agriculture, and land use and forestry.
Transportation
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% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum based, which includes primarily gasoline and diesel. (Back to Top)
Electricity Production
We are powering up more and more devices increasing our electrical power demands exponentially. Electricity production generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas
emissions. Approximately 62.9 percent of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas. (Back to Top)
Industry
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. (Back to Top)
Commercial and Residential Buildings
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. (Back to Top)
Agriculture
Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production. (Back to Top)
Land Use & Forestry
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. (Back to Top)