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CO2 Data Explorer

Provided by: Our World in Data |Published on: November 1, 2022

Graphs/Tables Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This interactive resource allows students to explore CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement production globally and by country, with some data starting as early as 1750.
Students can view the data as a graph, table, or map.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Authors: Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This resource packs a lot of information into one place and it can be easily customized to answer specific questions.
Total greenhouse gas emissions, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions are also available to explore.

Additional Prerequisites

You may want to spend some time working with all of the options available in this resource so that you can help guide students for specific tasks.
For production-based emissions, students can select the source of emissions (coal, oil, gas, cement, flaring, or total), the countries of interest, and how the data are counted (per capita, per country, cumulative, per MWh of energy, or per dollar of GDP).
For consumption-based emissions, students can choose how the data are counted (per capita, per country, per dollar of GDP, or as a percentage of emissions embedded in trade) and the countries of interest.
The data and images of graphs, tables, and maps can be downloaded for use offline.

Differentiation

Cross-curricular connections could be made with social studies classes when discussing the reasons for the emissions in different countries and some of the underlying reasons for any changes observed over time.
Economics classes can use this resource to explore connections between gross domestic product (GDP), trade, and carbon emissions.
Questions to ask while using this resource could include:
- Which countries have produced the most emissions cumulatively and which are currently producing the most emissions?
- On a per-capita basis, which countries have produced the most emissions over the last 70 years?
- Relatively speaking, which country's emissions have increased the most over the last 70 years?

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.