Greenhouse Gas Emissions Explained, in 7 Balloons

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2010 human activity caused 50 Gt CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions.

These emissions were 76% carbon dioxide (CO2), 16% methane (CH4), 8% nitrous oxide (N20) and 2% F-gases.

The big terrestrial emitters were China (23%), the USA (14%), Europe (10%), India (5%) and Russia (5%).

And the primary sources of emissions were energy (35%), industry (18%), transport (13%), agriculture (11%), forestry (11%), buildings (8%) and waste (4%).

The sources are explained in more detail in the balloons above, which technically shouldn’t float so well ;-). These balloons don’t look very threatening, but they represent the large majority of positive climate forcings.

Which in English means they are major causes of climate change.

Check out our new eBook for ideas that will deflate your balloon.

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Christine

This data departs a bit from what I’ve read before. The 2006 FAO study demonstrated that agriculture contributed 18% of global green house gases, more than transport. Are these two studies in contention? Or am I misunderstanding the data? (former English major here)
- Lindsay Wilson
  
  They don’t contradict, just a matter of categorization and slightly older data. The 2006 FAO study 18% was just for livestock, but included in that was about two thirds of deforestation emissions. These land use emissions have since declined as a share of total emissions
  
  The best recent study I have seen puts the total food system emissions at almost a quarter of GHGs globally. That is roughly 12% directly from agriculture, another 9% indirectly from induced deforestation and a further 3% from freight, refrigeration and processing.
  
  That said there is more uncertainty in agriculature and deforestation than in energy sectors. See here:
  
  http://ccafs.cgiar.org/bigfacts/global-agriculture-emissions/
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Fraser Brown

Loving you Linsay. Keep up the good work!