US Accounted for Nearly 50% of World’s CO2 Emissions Growth in 2025 — Thanks, AI Data Center Explosion & Pro-Pollution Trump

A new report on world energy use shows the United States drove nearly half of the entire globe's increase in carbon emissions in 2025. Total energy use worldwide rose 1.4% last year, but U.S. emissions jumped 3.2%, reversing years of mostly falling emissions. North America alone accounted for 47% of the world's emissions growth.

The main driver was electricity demand from AI data centers. The U.S. made up 40% of all data center electricity use worldwide, and that demand growth, combined with the Trump administration keeping old coal plants running and blocking large wind and solar projects, pushed coal-fired power up 13% in the country. Overall U.S. electricity demand grew 3%. Solar power did grow 28% here, but it wasn't enough to offset the surge in coal use tied to data centers.

For homeowners, this points to a broader trend worth watching: electricity demand and, in some regions, prices are climbing as data centers compete for power on the grid. It doesn't change any specific rebate or program available to you right now, but it's a reminder that home energy efficiency and lower electricity use may matter more, not less, as utilities lean on older, dirtier power plants to keep up with demand elsewhere on the grid.