All countries pollute, but some emit higher levels of carbon dioxide than others. This selection highlights the 10 countries that contribute most to global warming. For this selection, the CO2 levels published by the Global Atmospheric Research emission database are considered . The 2015 numbers are not yet available, so the 2014 issue totals are taken into account. Source: computerannals.com
10. BRAZIL – EMISSIONS 501.102,85 KTONS CO2
Brazil occupies an interesting position when it comes to global warming. On the one hand, the country occupies the tenth position among the countries responsible for global warming, as one of the largest economies . On the other hand, it is home to one of the largest ecosystems and forests, Amazon.
9. CANADA – EMISSIONS 565,991.53 KTONS CO2
The Canadian government plans to work with scientists and follow their advice based on the available evidence on global warming. And it wants to implement policies that contribute to a low carbon economy, including carbon pricing. As the effects of climate change become more acute, forests in Canada are said to be among the most vulnerable, affecting countless species and ecosystems.
8. SOUTH KOREA – EMISSIONS 610,065.60 KTONS CO2
610 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2014 are really big numbers and it affects the local climate as well as the global situation. Various pollutants and greenhouse gases caused by the industrialization of the area, as well as the population increase, have impacted South Korea in many ways. The country has a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent by 2030.
7. IRAN – EMISSIONS 618,197.22 KTONS CO2
The situation in Iran is so severe that by 2100, if carbon emissions are not cut, the Iranian coast, Qatar, Dubai and other nearby areas could become uninhabitable.
6. GERMANY – EMISSIONS 767,145.57 KTONS CO2
In fact, the country has been working hard to change its main source of energy to renewable sources. In the last year, Germany has announced that 78% of all electricity in the country comes from renewable energy sources. The country’s emissions are falling and the trend is also expected to continue in the coming years. After all, the country plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and up to 95% by 2050, switching to renewable energy in all sectors.
5. JAPAN – EMISSIONS 1,278,921.81 KTONS CO2
Japan’s carbon dioxide emissions reached 1.2 billion tonnes in 2014, which is a large number. Not only is the country one of the planet’s biggest contributors to global warming, but it is also one of the nations most affected by climate change. Extreme heat, storms and rising water levels are just some of the effects already making themselves known in Japan. By 2030, Japan wants to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 26%.
4. RUSSIA – EMISSIONS 1,766,427.27 KTONS CO2
Climate change is almost being perceived by many corners of Russia, especially considering how huge the country really is. However, the Russian governments have taken this beyond themselves by implementing policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. The country is currently promising to maintain its plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 to 30 percent below 1990 levels.
3. INDIA – EMISSIONS 2,341,896.77 KTONS CO2
Fortunately, India has a plan similar to that of other states, seeking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 33-35% of 2005 levels by 2030. The government also set the same deadline to attract more of its energy from sources renewable, setting 40% as the target.
2. UNITED STATES – EMISSIONS 5,334,529.74 KTONS CO2
In fact, in 2014, the U.S. concluded that more than 5.3 billion tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere. For comparison purposes, only 28 member states of the European Union generated 3.4 billion tons of CO2 in the same year. As if finally waking up to a deep sleep, the United States made an ambitious proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, increasing its use of renewable energy by 30 percent the same year.
1. CHINA – EMISSIONS 10,540,749.59 KTONS CO2
It is a worrying situation when one has to wear a mask to leave the house because the air is not breathable, but it is the case for millions and millions of people in China. According to research, air pollution in the country causes 1.6 million premature deaths each year. China’s CO2 emissions have been up from 9 billion tonnes since 2010, despite the country’s efforts to portray itself as one of the greatest combatants of global warming. So far, the country wants to put in place a new national system to limit carbon emissions, starting in 2017.
