Key Impact Points:
- Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas, accounting for 79% of US emissions.
- Most CO2 emissions are caused by burning fossil fuels.
- Whilst it is not the most potent gas, the volume of CO2 means it does do the most damage, currently accounting for 66% of the effects of climate change.
- The world emits around 47.5 Billion Tons of greenhouse gas every year, 34.73 Billion Tons of which are carbon dioxide.
- There are 416.45 parts per million of CO2 currently in the Earth’s atmosphere. This figure continues to increase every year.
- China is the biggest emitter of CO2 in the world, with 10668 MtCO₂. But the US has emitted the most of all time.
- The energy sector accounts for 75.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Facts About Greenhouse Gases
Contrary to popular belief, not all GHGs are bad. They occur naturally, and if we didn’t have any GHGs in our atmosphere at all, then the Earth would become too cold and much of the life we know would be unable to survive.
Climate change is caused by an excess of greenhouse gases. When we have more GHGs in the atmosphere than the Earth can naturally absorb, they trap excess heat, and the global temperature increases.
Greenhouse Gases Breakdown
Greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases, trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The energy sector is the largest contributor, responsible for 75.6% of global emissions, with electricity and heat generation being significant subsectors.
Global Emissions
Globally, 47.5 billion tons of GHGs are emitted each year, with CO2 being the most prevalent. Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, are the primary sources of these emissions.
Change the World - Subscribe Now
Top CO2 Emitters
China is the largest emitter of CO2, producing 10,668 MtCO₂ annually. The US follows, contributing significantly to global emissions. Historically, the US is the largest emitter.
Sector Contributions
The energy sector, especially electricity and heat generation, is the biggest source of GHG emissions. Agriculture, industrial processes, and waste also contribute significantly.
Environmental Impact
Human activities have drastically increased atmospheric CO2 levels, from 311.79 parts per million (PPM) in 1950 to 416.45 PPM in 2021. This rise correlates with increased global temperatures, contributing to climate change.
Mitigation Efforts
Addressing climate change requires reducing fossil fuel use, increasing renewable energy adoption, and improving sustainability practices. Countries like Norway, Finland, and Switzerland are leading in climate resilience and readiness.
Carbon Footprint by Country
The US has the highest per capita CO2 emissions at 14.24 tons per person, followed by Russia and Japan. In contrast, countries like India and Brazil have lower per capita emissions.
Future Projections
Projections indicate that global CO2 emissions must peak by 2025 and decline rapidly thereafter to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Achieving this will require substantial policy changes and technological advancements in renewable energy and carbon capture.
For more detailed information and statistics, visit the full article here.
Related Article: Major U.S. Insurers Make Progress on Climate Disclosures, but Significant Gaps Remain: New Report
