The video discusses the significant increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions since the Industrial Revolution, with humans releasing over 1.5 trillion tons of CO₂ into the Earth's atmosphere. In 2019, we were still pumping out around 37 billion more, which is 50% more than the year 2000 and almost three times as much as 50 years ago. The video also highlights the growing volumes of other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. Combining all greenhouse gases, we're emitting 51 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalents each year.
The video also discusses the serious consequences of climate change, including more heat waves, the most glaciers melting, and the lowest amount of ice ever recorded at the North Pole. The only way to limit this rapid climate change is to decrease our collective emissions quickly.
The video then delves into the debate about who is responsible for climate change and CO₂ emissions. While all countries agree on the goal of reducing emissions, they do not agree who is responsible or who should bear the heaviest load. Developed countries point at their own efforts to reduce emissions and the fact that large developing countries on the rise, especially China, are currently releasing much more CO₂. Developing countries argue that emissions by the West are lifestyle emissions, while for developing countries, they are survival emissions.
The video then discusses which countries emit the most carbon dioxide today and in total. In 2017, humans emitted about 36 billion tons of CO₂, with more than 50% coming from Asia. The top three emitters are China, the USA, and the European Union. The video also discusses the historical emissions, with the US and the EU knocking China off the top spot.
The video then discusses which countries emit the most carbon dioxide per person. The average human is responsible for around five tons of CO₂ each year. The countries with the largest CO₂ emissions per person are some of the world's major oil and gas producers.
The video concludes by stating that climate change is a global problem, and no country alone can fix it. Everybody needs to do the best they can, and right now we are all not doing that. But we can begin today. The video is part of a series about climate change supported by Breakthrough Energy, a coalition founded by Bill Gates that's working to expand clean energy investment and support the innovations that will lead the world to net zero carbon emissions.
1. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have released over 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere.
2. In 2019, we were still pumping out around 37 billion more.
3. That's 50 percent more than the year 2000 and almost three times as much as 50 years ago.
4. We're also pumping out growing volumes of other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
5. Combining all of our greenhouse gases, we're emitting 51 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalents each year.
6. Emissions keep rising.
7. In recent years, the consequences have become more serious and visible.
8. We've had more heat waves, the most glaciers melting, and the lowest amount of ice ever recorded at the North Pole.
9. Of the last 22 years, 20 have been the hottest on record.
10. The only way to limit this rapid climate change is to decrease our collective emissions quickly.
11. But although all countries agree on this goal in principle, they do not agree who is responsible or who should bear the heaviest load.
12. The developed countries point at their own efforts to reduce emissions and the fact that the large developing countries on the rise, especially China, are currently releasing much more CO₂.
13. Developing countries argue that emissions by the West are lifestyle emissions, while for developing countries, they are survival emissions.
14. In 2017, humans emitted about 36 billion tons of CO₂.
15. More than 50% came from Asia. North America and Europe followed with 18% and 17% respectively.
16. While Africa, South America, and Oceania together only contributed eight percent.
17. China is by far the world's largest emitter with 10 billion tons of CO₂ every year, or 27% of global emissions.
18. It's followed by the USA with 15% and the European Union with around 10%.
19. Together, this is more than half of the world's CO₂ emissions.
20. So it's clear that without the willingness and action of these three industrial blocs, humanity will not be able to become carbon neutral and prevent severe climate change.
21. The US and the EU both knock China off the top spot.
22. The US is responsible for 25% of the world's historical emissions emitting 400 billion tons, mostly in the 20th century.
23. In second place is the EU at 22%.
24. China comes in third at just under 13 percent, around half of the USA's contribution.
25. India's contribution shrinks to 3 percent along with the whole of Africa and South America.
26. The UK is responsible for one percent of annual global emissions but takes five percent of the historical responsibility.
27. Germany, producing two percent of emissions per year today, has contributed almost six percent, as much as the whole of Africa and South America combined.
28. The average human is responsible for around five tons of CO₂ each year.
29. The countries with the largest CO₂ emissions per person are some of the world's major oil and gas producers.
30. In 2017, Qatar had the highest emissions at a hefty 49 tons per person, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
31. Australians have one of the highest carbon footprints per person: 17 tons a year.
32. That's more than triple the global average and slightly more than the average US American and Canadian at 16 tons.
33. The Germans do a little better at close to 10 tons, but this is still twice the global average.
34. China may be the world's largest emitter, but it's also the world's most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, 18.5% of the world population.
35. Per person, it's above average at seven tons.
36. Historically, CO₂ emissions have been closely tied to a high standard of living.
37. Wealth