5 Growing Nations With Growing Emissions
by Kristin Underwood, San Diego, CA on 08.15.08
Clearly the United States (with roughly 23% of global CO2 emissions has some 'splainin to do when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, so don't get us wrong, we aren't trying to pass the buck. Yet, we did want to take a look at just how large the impact of CO2 emissions is from the developing world. The rankings below are only targeting human produced (anthropogenic) CO2 emissions, and do not include the other, toxic greenhouse gas emissions. If you look at greenhouse gases overall, then this list changes slightly.
Note: Please keep in mind that these are just estimates and that these figures are going up and down each year.
5. South Africa - Responsible for 1.6% of global CO2 emissions, South Africa has a population of 47,850,000 people. Cheers to South Africa for recently announcing its plans to stabilize and reduce CO2 emissions by 2025. (#12 in the world if you include developed countries).
4. Mexico - Also 1.6% of global emission (slightly higher than South Africa if you look at actual tons), the roughly 106,682,500 people of Mexico are 11th in the world when you include developed countries.
3. South Korea - earns a Bronze with 1.7% of global emissions, and 9th when factoring in the developed world. With a population just slightly larger than South Africa, at 48,224,000 people. #3,4 and 5 are all pretty close in terms of CO2 emissions, though Mexico has double the population of South Korea or South Africa.
2. India - Pumping out 4.9%, this quickly developing country is home to roughly 1,136,665,600 (over 17% of the global population). Including developed countries, India still ranks 4th.
1. China - Probably not a surprise. China comes in at #1 among developing countries and #2 worldwide (new reports show that China may actually be #1 in both categories). At 18.4% of global CO2 emissions, no one even comes close to China (except for the United States). The next country to even begin to offer a challenge is Russia, at a mere 5.6%. China also accounts for almost 20% of the worlds population with 1,325,507,000.
More on CO2 Emissions
Time For Plan B: Cutting Carbon Emissions 80% By 2020.
Carbon Emissions in UK 49% Higher Than Acknowledged
How To Green Your Carbon Offsets
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Are Rapidly Accelerating, According To Earth Policy Institute
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No surprises here. Another way to look at these numbers would be CO2 Per Person. If we assume all people on earth have the same "rights" to resources and that "all people are equal", then we must look at each person's footprint on the plaet.
Given that the 2.4 Billion people in India and China have the same "right" to an improved standard of living, as the people in USA, Europe and all developed countries... then it's obvious that we need to drastically reduce our Footprint (standard of living). The planet can not support 6 Billion people, all enjoying the current standard of living of those living in North America.
Technology alone will not solve this issue. We must reduce our Consumption.
Estoy usando el internet!
Why Brazil isn't in the list?
good question. Actually Brazil is #3 when you look at overall greenhouse gas emissions. But, when you only look at man-made CO2, Brazil is in the top ten, but not the top 5.
No surprises here. Another way to look at these numbers would be CO2 Per Person. If we assume all people on earth have the same "rights" to resources and that "all people are equal", then we must look at each person's footprint on the plaet.
Given that the 2.4 Billion people in India and China have the same "right" to an improved standard of living, as the people in USA, Europe and all developed countries... then it's obvious that we need to drastically reduce our Footprint (standard of living). The planet can not support 6 Billion people, all enjoying the current standard of living of those living in North America.
Technology alone will not solve this issue. We must reduce our Consumption
------------------------------------------- agreed
What are the numbers 5 million what? I think it is tons but I am not sure... Please help this is for a school report!