Carbon emissions are a key driver of climate change. In order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, it’s critical that we reduce them as quickly and as profoundly as possible. The question is how do we compare the relative responsibility of regions, countries and individuals? One way is to look at carbon dioxide emissions – the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere through fossil fuel burning, land use change, and industrial processes.
Before human beings started to burn fossil fuels, atmospheric concentrations of CO2 were around 280 parts per million (ppm). Now they are over 421 ppm. This increase has a direct effect on Earth’s climate, altering the composition of the atmosphere and changing its ability to trap heat.
Emissions are primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, with the rest coming from agricultural and industrial processes such as the decomposition of organic matter or the production of cement. These are known as greenhouse gases because they absorb and radiate infrared energy from the Sun, heating up the atmosphere.
Using fossil fuel consumption data and trade statistics, we can track national-level CO2 emissions back to 1751. By clicking on a country in the map, you can see its cumulative contribution since then.
The map shows that China, the USA and the 28 EU countries account for almost half of all global emissions. Although all countries must take action to curb their emissions, it’s particularly important that the highest emitters make the most dramatic cuts.
About the Author
