Business Stewardship Facts for Earth Day

4/22/08

If you are covering Earth Day today, please keep in mind the following environmental stewardship facts about the private sector.
 
Stewardship Facts from Businesses on Earth Day 2008
 
Since 2001, wind power in the United States has grown by more than 300 percent. Wind accounted 20% of the newly installed electricity generation in 2007, when it also grew 45% as an industry.
 
U.S. solar installations in 2007 grew by more than 32 percent from the previous year. Worldwide solar installations increased by 2,826 megawatts in 2007, up from 1,744 megawatts installed in 2006.
 
Since 1980, power companies have increased electricity production 77 percent while they reduced sulfur dioxide by 40 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 44 percent.
 
The U.S. nuclear energy industry prevented 681 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2007. The volume of greenhouse gas emissions prevented is equivalent to taking 96 percent of all passenger cars off America's roadways.
 
Electricity from hydropower plants in 2007 prevented more than 160 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
 
In 2007, the automobile industry offered nearly 200 models that achieve 30 miles per gallon or more. The industry also offered 60 alternative-fuel models—including hybrids and vehicles that run on diesel or ethanol.
 
Gasoline produced today by oil companies has 97 percent less sulfur than it did in the 1970s.
 
Since 1975, the U.S. steel industry has cut it greenhouse gas emissions per ton of steel produced by 45 percent.
 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Institute for 21st Century Energy are working for a comprehensive, common-sense national energy policy. Improving the environment is a fundamental principle of this effort.
 

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