Policy Glossary
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Background

Greenhouse gases refer to any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect, a phenomena that facilitates the rise in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. As a result of the greenhouse effect, some of the solar energy that is reflected off the Earth's surface is trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, rather than lost to space. 

Many of these gases - which include carbon dioxide, water vapor,methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and fluorinated gases - occur in the atmosphere naturally and are the reason our planet remains warm and temperate. Greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, however, have upset the atmospheric balance. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the majority of the international scientific community have identified this recent elevation in greenhouse gas concentrations as the cause of global warming.  

It has become increasingly clear that the changes in greenhouse gas concentrations are a direct result of industrialization and the growth of fossil fuel use. The following table illustrates the breakdown of human generated (anthropogenic) greenhouse gas emissions:

 

         Global Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2004

Carbon Dioxide - Fossil Fuel Use	56.6%
Carbon Dioxide - Deforestation, Decay of Biomass, etc.	17.3%
Carbon Dioxide - Other	2.8%
Methane	14.3%
Nitrous Oxide	7.9%
Fluorinated Gases	1.1%
Reference: IPCC 4th Assessment Report:Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report

• Carbon dioxide emissions, the largest contributor to global warming, enter the atmosphere through the burning of oil, coal and natural gas, as well as from deforestation (mainly in the tropics). Electricity generation is the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States - 41% of emissions - with transportation as the second.
• Methane is emitted during the production and transport of fossil fuels, from livestock and other agricultural activities, and by decomposing organic matter in landfill.It is estimated that more than 60% of global methane emissions are related to human activities. In the United States, livestock related activities and landfills account for over half of all emissions.
• Nitrous oxide is released by agricultural soil management, the burning of fossil fuels, and by solid waste and animal waste management.
• Fluorinated gases have largely replaced ozone-depleting substances as coolants and are also associated with semi-conductor industry, aluminum manufacturing and other industrial production.

United States

The United States is the second highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, having been surpassed by China in 2006. U.S. emissions per capita, however, still substantially exceed those of China.

In the United States, mandatory reporting requirements are in place for large producers of these emissions. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency develops an official U.S. greenhouse gas inventory each year that is then used by policymakers to develop guidelines and emissions standards for various industries. 

In November 2009, the White House announced that President Obama is offering a U.S. target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. This target is in accordance with the limit set by climate legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives; although, the U.S. Senate is currently debating a bill that would cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by 2020.

New York State

New York is the eight largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions by state.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average New Yorker produces approximately 11 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.

In response, New York State has taken several important steps to reduce its emissions. The "45 by 15" program was launched in 2007 with the intent of reducing the state's energy use by 15% and providing 30% of the state's power from renewable sources by 2015. In 2009, the New York State Energy Planning Board developed a comprehensive energy plan that included provisions for measuring greenhouse gas inventories and an evaluation of renewable energy sources.  This past July, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued a policy that will include greenhouse gas emissions in the state's review of new, large-scale projects. New York is also part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a consortium of states that have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 13% below 1990 levels by 2019.  New York City, in particular, has committed to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory every year through PlaNYC.

In August 2009, Governor Paterson signed Executive Order No. 24, which set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in NY State by 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The Executive Order also provided for the creation of the Climate Action Council with a directive to establish a draft Climate Action Plan by September 20, 2010. The Climate Action Plan will provide an assessment of how economic sectors can reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, and identify the extent to which such actions support New York's goals for a clean energy economy.

NYLCVEF

In 2008, to help the state combat the dangers caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gases, the NYLCV Education Fund launched its "Powering into the Future" campaign, which hosted three policy forums focused on energy efficiency and solar, wind and nuclear power.  Moreover, the NYLCV Education Fund 2010 Policy Agenda for New York recommends strategies for local governments to incentivize energy conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. NYLCVEF also advocated for the codification of Executive Order No. 24 so that its provisions would be passed into law by the state legislature. To achieve the emissions reductions we need, NYLCVEF will continue to advocate for energy conservation and efficiency, investment in clean energy sources, improvement in public transportation and smart economic growth.

References/Resources

Calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions:

> EPA's online calculator

Information on Government Programs:

> Environmental Protection Agency - Climate Change

> Governor Paterson's Clean Energy Agenda

> Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

> New York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

> New York State Energy Plan

> New York State Greenhouse Gas Review Policy

> November 2009 GHG Reduction Plans

> PlaNYC

> Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

NYLCVEF Programs:

> Energy

> Issues

> Powering the Future