US greenhouse gas emissions

Madam, - Kevin Myers (December 9th) refers to Mark Steyn's claim that US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have fallen since the…

Madam, - Kevin Myers (December 9th) refers to Mark Steyn's claim that US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have fallen since the EU signed up to Kyoto.

The US Environmental Protection Agency's own figures show that between 1990 and 2003, US GHG emissions increased by 13 per cent. Although the country's total GHG emissions fell between 2000 and 2003, this is because emissions in 2000 were exceptionally high - increasing over the previous year by considerably more than in any other year since 1990. Furthermore, the fall took place solely in 2001, and is thought to be due to the economic recession and the drop in travel after the 9/11 attacks.

US GHG emissions have increased in every year since 1990, except for 1991 and 2001, both of which were recession years. - Yours, etc,

HEATHER GREER, Howth, Co Dublin.