United States: environment

How much CO2 does the US emit?

US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions were 4,904 million metric tons in 2025, up 2%, or about 115 million metric tons, on 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration report U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2025, released on 21 July 2026. Transportation emitted 1,871 million tons and electric power 1,485 million tons.

EIA says the largest increase was in the electric power sector, because of higher electricity demand. The figures are preliminary and cover CO2 from burning fossil fuels only. The EPA's greenhouse gas inventory covers all greenhouse gases, including methane, and all sources, so its totals are higher. EIA expects the next report in summer 2027.

Official sources: EIA: U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2025 · EPA: Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks

Where does US electricity come from?

US utility-scale power plants generated 4,429,502 thousand megawatthours (about 4,430 billion kWh) in 2025, according to the Energy Information Administration Electric Power Monthly (Table 1.1). Natural gas produced 1,807 billion kWh, roughly two-fifths, nuclear 785 billion, coal 737 billion, wind and other non-hydro, non-solar renewables 526 billion, utility-scale solar 296 billion and hydropower 247 billion.

EIA estimates another 93 billion kWh came from small-scale solar panels such as rooftop systems, which are not in the utility-scale total. The 2025 figures are preliminary. Monthly data for 2026, to July, are in the same table, released on 24 September 2026; the next issue is due on 23 October 2026.

Official sources: EIA: Net Generation by Energy Source (Table 1.1)

How much US electricity comes from renewable energy?

Utility-scale renewable sources generated 1,068,941 thousand megawatthours (about 1,069 billion kWh) of US electricity in 2025, according to the Energy Information Administration Electric Power Monthly (Table 1.1.A). Wind provided 464 billion kWh, conventional hydropower 247 billion and utility-scale solar photovoltaic 293 billion. EIA estimates total solar generation, including small-scale systems, at 389 billion kWh.

Out of total utility-scale generation of about 4,430 billion kWh in 2025, renewables were roughly a quarter. Renewables here include wood, landfill gas, waste biomass and geothermal. Figures for 2025 are preliminary. Hydropower varies with rainfall and snowpack, and solar output has grown fastest in recent years.

Official sources: EIA: Net Generation from Renewable Sources (Table 1.1.A)

How has air quality changed in the US?

Concentrations of common air pollutants have fallen nationally since 1980, according to the EPA Air Quality National Summary. Between 2000 and 2025, annual fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations fell 45%, carbon monoxide 70% and annual nitrogen dioxide 56%. Ozone fell 20% over the same period. EPA estimates about 69 million tons of pollution were emitted in the United States in 2025.

The trends are based on measurements from monitors across the country, so they describe the national picture rather than any one place. Wildfire smoke can raise particle levels sharply in some years. For daily local readings and forecasts, EPA runs AirNow, which uses the Air Quality Index.

Official sources: EPA: Air Quality National Summary

Is the US getting hotter?

The average temperature across the contiguous United States was 54.62°F in 2025, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Climate at a Glance. The series, which begins in 1895, shows 2024 as the warmest year at 55.48°F, followed by 2012 (55.27°F). The 20th-century average in the same data is about 52.0°F.

The national figure covers the 48 contiguous states; Alaska and Hawaii are reported separately. NCEI builds it from a gridded network of weather stations and revises past values when station records are corrected. The Climate at a Glance tool gives monthly, seasonal and state figures, with rankings.

Official sources: NOAA NCEI: Climate at a Glance, contiguous US annual average temperature

How much CO2 does the United States emit per person?

13.6 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United States for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 19.9 tonnes; its low point was 2020, at 13.5 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 13th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does the United States emit?

5,913 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 7,161 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005 and the low 5,704 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020. Worldwide: 2nd of 186.

How much renewable energy does the United States use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 10.9%. The peak was 11.0% in 2020 and the low 5.8% in 2005. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 139th highest.

How much of the United States is forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in the United States was 33.8% in 2024. The peak was 33.9% in 2015 and the low 33.4% in 2005. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 190.

What is air pollution like in the United States?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the United States was 7.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. World rank, highest first: 174th of 192.

What share of the United States is protected land?

12.9%: that is the share of land in protected areas in the United States for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. The peak was 13.6% in 2013 and the low 11.8% in 2020. Worldwide: 132nd of 192.

What is water stress in the United States?

The FAO puts water stress in the United States at 28.2% in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 30.3%; its low point was 2010, at 26.5%. World rank, highest first: 56th of 175.