The most recent GHG Emissions Inventory published by the EPA details the emissions from 1990 through 2004. Any comparison of these numbers between a select few years should be viewed in the context of the overall trend. Overall, between 1990 and 2004, GHG emissions increased by 16%.
Recently, it has been noted that between 2000 and 2003, total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 0.8%. This is true, but not representative of the overall trend. 2000 was a particularly high emissions year. Additionally, all of this reduction occurred in the year 2001—in fact, emissions decreased by 2.1% that year—and is likely related to the economic recession and dramatic economic and travel effects of the September 2001 terrorist attacks. In fact, since 1990, emissions have increased in every year except 1991 and 2001, both recession years.
EPA figures for 2004 demonstrate that GHG emissions increased 1.7% from 2003-2004, indicating that relative to 2000, emissions have increased rather than decreased.
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990 - 2004
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Download a PDF version of the above chart of U.S. GHG Emissions 1990 - 2004 [1], which includes supporting data.
View other facts and figures [2].