WASHINGTON (AP) — A new study indicates that the United States emitted 2.4% more greenhouse gases from fossil fuels in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking a significant turnaround in emissions trends that have prevailed over recent years.
According to the Rhodium Group, the increase arises from a combination of factors including a colder winter, rising energy demands driven by the expansion of data centers and cryptocurrency mining, along with increased natural gas prices. Researchers pointed out that the environmental policy rollbacks instituted during Donald Trump's administration were not significant factors contributing to this uptick, as they were only enacted this past year.
Experts assert that carbon dioxide and methane emissions had decreased by about 20% between 2005 and 2024. Previous efforts to promote cleaner energy allowed emissions to drop even as the economy grew, but this trend appears to have shifted.
Study co-author Ben King reported that, in 2025, the U.S. produced approximately 5.9 billion tons (5.35 billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide equivalent—an increase of 139 million tons (126 million metric tons) from 2024.
The cold winter of 2025 led to a substantial rise in heating demands, which often rely on natural gas and fuel oils that emit significant greenhouse gases. Additionally, the surge in electricity requirements due to data centers and cryptocurrency mining led to more energy generation—much of which came from coal power plants, a source known for higher carbon emissions compared to cleaner alternatives.
Experts contend that this trend of increasing emissions could have dire long-term repercussions, especially as the nation moves away from established environmental protections in favor of fossil fuel reliance, a move many view as detrimental to both the economy and public health.
The pending effects of the Trump administration’s environmental policy changes, combined with a strong economic case for renewable energy, will need to be monitored closely in future years. As solar power generation surged past hydroelectric energy supplies, showing a 34% increase, the future landscape for U.S. energy remains uncertain amid these reversals.
Industry experts and climate advocates fear that the 2025 emissions increase is a sign of worsening environmental practices, emphasizing the urgency for a return to more sustainable energy policies.
