According to an estimate by the Energy Information Administration CO2 emissions fell 2.8% in 2008, the most that such emissions have fallen since 1982. Unfortunately, it’s sort of like a good news, bad news joke. The decline was probably caused by the nationwide economic problems, the high price of oil, and various other factors. That means it was unplanned – just a byproduct of the economic climate. The big challenge facing the US is to make a plan to reduce CO2 emissions – and other greenhouse gases – and stick to that plan! 

To find out more about the dip in CO2 emissions, read this article: CO2 Emissions. To read the Natural Resources Defense Council’s list of proposed laws and policies that would help us bring down greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent additional climate change, check out their recommendations and policy briefs: NRDC.