Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Cumulative CO2 Emissions

Provided by: Our World in Data |Published on: July 20, 2021

Graphs/Tables Grades 6-8, 9-12, ap-college

Synopsis

This interactive resource allows students to explore a map, chart, and data table of the cumulative amount of CO2 emissions for various countries.
This takes into account the total emissions produced by fossil fuels and cement production, with data beginning in 1750.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography, Mathematics

Authors: Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser, , ,

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This allows students to visually see the emissions build-up over time and see the relative change in emissions for various countries.

Additional Prerequisites

Note that this resource only provides data for fossil fuels and cement production, but if you include all sources of greenhouse gas pollution, different countries show up higher on the list in recent history, see the CO2 Data Explorer.
Students should know how to read a map and line graph.
Students should be familiar with the term relative change.
All of the data and visuals can be downloaded.

Differentiation

This resource could be incorporated into social studies classes when discussing economic resources for global climate solutions that take into account historic emissions.
Students can compare emissions from low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income countries to explore issues of justice related to emission levels.
Other resources that are directly related to this issue include the CO2 Data Explorer and Annual CO2 Emissions.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format