Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Our World in Data
What it is
- This interactive map, graph, and table show annual per capita greenhouse gas emissions for countries throughout the world, starting from 1990.
- Greenhouse gas emissions – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and F-gases – are summed up and measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Teaching tips
Preparation:
- Familiarize yourself and students with the resource's features:
- By clicking the play button in the bottom left corner, students can view an animated version of the chart, map, or table that shows change over time.
- The dataset and images can be downloaded.
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students are familiar with the concept of gas emission and the economic concept of per capita.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Math:
- Use this resource as a practical application of the uses of line graphs.
- Geography:
- Use the map to look for patterns in gas emissions and determine similar characteristics between high-emitting and low-emitting countries.
Extensions:
- Use this resource to open conversations about climate justice by exploring which countries are the largest per capita emitters and what responsibility these countries should take in solving the climate crisis.
From the scientist review
This resource underscores per capita CO2 emissions aggregated from selected countries. Ideally, Global warming potentials calculated within a period of 100 years were taken into account to get the sum of CO2 equivalent expressed in tonnes. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on ourworldindata.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
