Last year’s global greenhouse gas emissions highest ever seen

Comcast Xfinity : Global carbon dioxide output in 2010 increased by 6% over that in 2009, according to the US Department of Energy. It is a “monster” increase, said Gregg Marland, a professor of geology at Appalachian State University, who has helped calculate DOE figures in the past. More than half of the increase in emissions can be attributed to extra pollution in China and the US. Interestingly, the US did not ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which sought to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The developed countries that did have reduced their emissions about 8% below 1990 levels. Developing countries are also contributing to the problem, as their economies grow and improve. Greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries may already be surpassing those from developed countries.