Here is another interesting Trade Fact from the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).

What will happen if there is no international agreement on greenhouse gas reductions? Already having gone from 18.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions (by far the most prevalent greenhouse gas) worldwide in 1980 to 27.5 billion tons in 2005, the Department of Energy’s International Energy Outlook (which counts only carbon dioxide) estimates a 30% rise to 41 billion tons by 2040. China is currently the largest total emitter, having surpassed the U.S. in 2007, though on a per capita basis it still does not come close to the level of the average American. Half of the world’s carbon emissions come from only three economies (counting the European Union as a unit): China produced 7.2 billion, the United States 7.0 billion, and the European Union 5.0 billion. Other interesting statistics are as follows:

In 2005, the world emissions of greenhouse gases totaled about 38 billion tons: 71 percent carbon dioxide, 18 percent methane, and the remaining 11 percent nitrous oxide and an assortment of fluorides. Electricity generation and heating produced 12.3 billion tons of the 38-billion ton total, followed by agriculture at 6.1 billion, transportation at 5.4 billion, and manufacturing and construction at 5.2 billion.

• Emissions per dollar of GDP: Among the big economies, the EU and Japan are the least profligate emitters. (Relatively lower levels of driving, falling populations, high use of nuclear energy, etc.) EU members on average produce about 390 tons of emissions per dollar of GDP, and Japan is a bit lower at 347 tons per dollar. The United States produces 561 tons per dollar, India is at 760 tons, Australia 850 tons, and Iran 880 million. China, South Africa, and Russia are well above 1,000 tons per dollar.

Over the next 20 years, absent an international emissions-reduction or -limiting agreement, emissions are likely to grow by 30 percent. The Department of Energy’s International Energy Outlook (which counts only carbon dioxide) finds low- and middle-income countries accounting for 9 billion of a likely 11 billion tons in annual CO2 emissions growth by 2030. China alone will account for 5 billion of this. India adds 0.6 billion — and is a relatively larger source of other gases — the Middle East 0.4 billion and Latin America’s 0.3 billion. Rich-country emissions are likely to grow by 2 billion, with Europe and Japan contributing least.

- Justin Manger

[Picture Image: GreenSage.com]