The video discusses the impact of human activities on climate change, specifically the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide. Since the industrial revolution, humans have released over 1.5 trillion tons of CO2 into the Earth's atmosphere. In 2019, we were still pumping out around 37 billion more tons of CO2, which is 50% more than the year 2000 and almost three times as much as 50 years ago. The video also highlights the increasing number of heatwaves, melting glaciers, and the lowest amount of ice ever recorded at the North Pole.
The video points out that while all countries agree on the need to decrease emissions, they disagree on who is responsible or who should bear the heaviest load. Developed countries argue that their efforts to reduce emissions are significant, while developing countries argue that their emissions are a result of survival needs. The video also mentions the controversy surrounding the role of the fossil fuel industry in climate change.
The video then discusses the countries that emit the most CO2. In 2017, China was the world's largest emitter with 10 billion tons of CO2 every year, followed by the USA and the European Union. The video also discusses the countries that have emitted the most CO2 throughout history and the countries that emit the most CO2 per person.
The video concludes by emphasizing the need for all countries to take responsibility for their emissions and to work together to reduce them. It also mentions the role of technology and low-carbon solutions in reducing emissions. The video is part of a series about climate change supported by Breakthrough Energy, a coalition founded by Bill Gates.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Humans have released over 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the Earth's atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.
2. In 2019, around 37 billion tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere.
3. The amount of CO2 released in 2019 was 50% more than in the year 2000 and almost three times as much as 50 years ago.
4. Not only CO2, but also other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide are being released in growing volumes.
5. The total greenhouse gas emissions are equivalent to 51 billion tons of CO2 per year.
6. Emissions keep rising, but they need to get down to zero to prevent severe climate change.
7. The consequences of climate change have become more serious and visible, with almost every year breaking a new record for heatwaves, glacier melting, and ice loss at the North Pole.
8. 20 of the last 22 years have been the hottest on record.
9. The only way to limit rapid climate change is to decrease collective emissions quickly.
10. All countries agree on the goal of reducing emissions, but they do not agree on who is responsible or who should bear the heaviest load.
11. Developed countries point to their efforts to reduce emissions and the fact that large developing countries, especially China, are releasing much more CO2.
12. Developing countries argue that emissions by the West are "lifestyle emissions," while for developing countries, they are "survival emissions."
13. In 2017, humans emitted around 36 billion tons of CO2, with more than 50% coming from Asia, followed by North America and Europe.
14. China is the world's largest emitter, with 10 billion tons of CO2 per year, or 27% of global emissions.
15. The US is the second-largest emitter, with 15% of global emissions, followed by the European Union with around 10%.
16. Together, these three industrial blocks account for more than half of the world's CO2 emissions.
17. India is the third-largest emitter in terms of total emissions, but its per-capita emissions are lower due to its large population.
18. If we look at emissions throughout history until today, the US and EU are responsible for the largest share, with the US emitting 400 billion tons of CO2, mostly in the 20th century.
19. The EU is responsible for 22% of historical emissions, while China is responsible for just under 13%.
20. The UK is responsible for 1% of annual global emissions but takes 5% of the historical responsibility.
21. Germany, which produces 2% of emissions per year today, has contributed almost 6% of historical emissions.
22. If we look at emissions per person, the countries with the largest CO2 emissions per person are some of the world's major oil and gas producers.
23. In 2017, Qatar had the highest emissions per person, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
24. Australians have one of the highest carbon footprints per person, with 17 tons of CO2 per year.
25. Germans, Americans, and Canadians have carbon footprints per person that are around 10-16 tons per year.
26. China, despite being the world's largest emitter, has a per-capita emission of 7 tons per year, which is above the global average.
27. Historically, CO2 emissions have been closely tied to a high standard of living, with wealth being one of the strongest indicators of carbon footprint.
28. The richest half of countries are responsible for 86% of global emissions, while the bottom half is responsible for only 14%.
29. The average German emits more than five times as much as the average Indian.
30. In just 2.3 days, the average American emits as much as the average Nigerian in a year.
31. It's the countries that contribute least to the problem that stand to lose the most from rapid climate change.
32. The developing world will be hit the hardest, with consequences including food insecurity, conflicts over resources, harsher and more frequent natural disasters, and large climate refugee movements.