Every year, 36 million tons of CO2 are released into the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change. Most of the emissions from the countries that pollute the most come from the use of fossil fuels, the generation of non-renewable energy, and polluting human activities.
Inequality in Responsibility
Not all countries face the same level of responsibility in the climate crisis, as the amount of CO2 produced by each country varies drastically.
The latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicated that in 2020, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere reached 413 parts per million (ppm), 149% higher than pre-industrial levels.
Countries that Pollute the Most
China is the world’s largest CO2 emitter, accounting for 30.9% of the total and emitting 10,668 million metric tons in 2020. Its main source are fossil fuels, especially coal, which accounts for 55% of its total energy. China is also one of the largest importers of oil. Despite implementing measures to reduce its dependence on coal and using renewable energies, it remains the largest contributor to global emissions.
The United States is the second-largest CO2 emitter, accounting for 13.5% of the total and emitting 4,713 million metric tons in 2020. The main sources of emissions are transportation, energy generation, and industry. The country is a major producer of crude oil, and Americans mainly rely on their cars as a means of transportation.
India is the third-largest CO2 emitter, accounting for 7.3% of global emissions, while Russia is the fourth, with 4.7%. Russia has one of the largest deposits of natural gas in the world, and natural gas is its main source of energy, although coal also contributes significantly to its emissions.
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