Final answer:
New York's standing in terms of CO2 emissions compared to heating degree days involves considerations of local energy sources, energy efficiency, and regulatory measures to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. New York's push towards cleaner energy and efficiency measures likely results in lower per capita CO2 emissions despite its high heating requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand how New York (NY) stands in terms of CO2 emissions from buildings versus heating degree days, it's necessary to consider the state's climate, its reliance on various energy sources, and the energy efficiency measures in place. Buildings in areas with more heating degree days generally require more energy for heating, potentially increasing CO2 emissions if the energy source is carbon-intensive. In New York, efforts have been made to improve energy efficiency and move towards using cleaner fuels, which could mitigate the impact of high heating requirements on CO2 emissions. Furthermore, New York's stringent building codes and incentives for renewable energy use may contribute to lower per capita emissions even with high heating degree days.
The per capita measurement allows us to make a fair comparison to understand how much CO2 an average person in New York emits in comparison with other places. Since coal is the least efficient fossil fuel with the greatest amount of CO2 emissions per unit of energy, New York's shift towards natural gas for heating, along with its support for sustainable energy sources, would presumably result in lower CO2 emissions per capita compared to regions still heavily reliant on coal.