Climate - header image
Blake McCord

Greenhouse Gas - Top Sources of Emissions (title)

Top Sources of Emissions

Climate - Greenhouse Gasses

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are the largest drivers of climate change.

Here on the Colorado Plateau you don’t have to look far to find them.

Greenhouse Gas - Emission sources

Most electricity in our region comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

The cars, trucks, and buses we all use, plus commercial freight pump out emissions.

A giant methane cloud from oil and gas wells hovers above the Four Corners region.

Greenhouse Gas - Inventory map

Greenhouse Gas - Inventory map

How much greenhouse gas pollution are we producing?

In 2018, counties across the region produced 106.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, about twice the emissions of New York City. See how the numbers break down in our greenhouse gas emissions inventory ›

Greenhouse Gas - what we do

Now the hard part: cutting back emissions

Addressing climate change requires collective effort around the world. With a snapshot of our region's emissions, the Trust has identified priority areas for emissions reductions across the Colorado Plateau. Here's where we're focusing our efforts to make the most impact:

Greenhouse Gas - Clean Energy

Greenhouse Gas - Clean Energy

Clean energy

We support state and federal incentives for renewable energy generation, like wind and solar. As we scale up clean power, we need to figure out how to recycle the components so that we don't solely rely on mining more raw materials.

Greenhouse Gas - Oil and gas reform

Greenhouse Gas - Oil and gas reform
Tim Peterson

Oil and gas reform

From establishing emissions controls to closing abandoned oil and gas wells, we are working to clean up the oil and gas industry in the region. A law passed in 2021 provides significant federal funding for plugging abandoned wells across the country, including the Colorado Plateau.

Greenhouse Gases - environmental justice

Greenhouse Gases - environmental justice

Environmental justice

We are comitted to climate action that is respectful to frontline communities who bear the greatest impact of climate change and mining. See what we're doing to support a just transition ›

Greenhouse Gas - why it matters

Why it matters

Here on the Colorado Plateau, climate change is intensifying our extremes – our dry is drier, our hot hotter, our monsoon storms are more intense and wildfires more severe. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions where we live, work, and play, we can do our part in the global effort against climate change. 

Climate Change Blog

03/5/24

Beneath the bathtub ring at Lake Powell, native plants are flourishing, cultural sites are resurfacing, and whitewater rapids are returning.

Read More
09/19/23

Estonian-owned oil shale giant is barred from siphoning 100 billion gallons of water from a Colorado River tributary.

Read More
09/11/23

What species are found in the Colorado River Basin and nowhere else on Earth?

Read More
Copyright © 2024 Grand Canyon Trust