The United states of America are a leading nation in global greenhouse gas

production, contributing the anthropogenic climate change [1]. In 2013, total

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 6,742.2 MMT (million metric tons), this is a
7% increase from 1990, producing an annual increase of 0.3% [2]. You can see the
individual CO2 emission trends in the table below, from 1990 to 2013 [2].

There are a number of issues regarding the reduction or mitigation of these

greenhouse gases; however, within these arguments lay broader social,
economical, and ethical issues. A recent study by Stanford University has shown
one potential way to battle against ongoing climate change, reduce air pollution
mortality, create sustainable jobs and stabilize energy prices for the future. Only,
it involves converting the energy infrastructure of 50 states to run on clean,
renewable energy, therefore reducing the levels of greenhouse gas production by
2050. The study by Mark, Z. Jacobson has called for an aggressive change in
both the consumption and infrastructure of energy [3], converting the current
energy methods to wind, water and sunlight [4].
However, Jacobson continues to enforce that changes to the energy system are
technologically and economically possible. The study shows that unlike other
potential mitigation programs which focus on changing one energy utility such as
gas or electricity, the Jacobson et al study incorporates changes among all major
energy sectors: electricity, heating/cooling, and industry [4].
The study was carried out by analyzing each energy sector and calculated the
fuel demands if all fuel usage were replaced with electricity. However, this isnt
so simple as the study has to predict that all the cars on the road will become
electric, and that homes and industry will be converted to fully electrified heating
and cooling systems [4]. The study has shown a 39% reduction in total end-use
power demand by the year 2050, across all 50 states showing that both money,
and greenhouse gases can be reduced, along with providing long term
sustainable jobs. Finally, the study comments how such a transition can have
barriers, in a case of this magnitude social and political barriers have the
greatest influence, Such barriers are due partly to the fact that most people are
unaware of what changes are possible and how they will benefit from them and
partly to the fact that many with a financial interest in the current energy
industry resist change [4] suggesting education is the first steep towards a truly
sustainable energy network across the USA, which raises further issues regarding
education and the perception of climate change in the public domain. Overall
due to the benefits of converting and reducing global emissions far exceeding

the costs, it appears that converting has little downside, along that the prediction
are meet and public awareness of the benefits are known.

Bibliography
1. U.S. Department for Energy. (2011). Fossil-Fuel CO2 Emissions by Nation.
Available: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/tre_coun.html. Last accessed
4th Oct 2015.
2. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. (2013). Recent
Trends in U.S. Greenhouse Gas 2 Emissions and Sinks. Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. (1), p4.
3. Carey B. (2015) Stanford engineers develop state-by-state plan to convert
U.S. to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050- Stanford News Service
4. Jacobson, M.K. Delucchi, M.A. Guillaume Bazouin B. Bauer, Z.A.F. Heavey,
C.C. Fisher, E. Morris, S.B. Piekutowski, D.J.Y. Vencilla, T.A. and Yeskooa,
T.W.. (2015). 100% clean and renewable wind, water, and sunlight (WWS)
all-sector energy roadmaps for the 50 United States. The Royal Society of
Chemistry. - (8), p2093-2117.