Who is Causing Climate Change?

USA is the largest Emitter of CO2

© WWF-Canon / Andrew KERR. North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Frimmersdorf power plant , coal-fired (lignite), run by RWE. According to a WWF study, this power plant is the second worst climate polluter in Europe.

The United States of America is the largest emitter of climate changing gases, and as a single nation is responsible for 25% of global climate changing gas emissions.

Industrialised countries have much higher emissions of climate changing gases. As a result, they should be responsible for taking the lead in addressing this global threat. In addition to reducing their own emissions, they must also assist less polluting countries such as the Pacific Islands address climate change.

Climate change is an international problem, which is likely to have effects on countries around the world. Although Pacific Island countries are responsible for less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, they are the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. This vulnerability is increased due to their fragile eco-systems and developing economies.

Source: CO2 emissions data for 1998 from Energy Information Administration, US Department of Energy: World Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Consumption and Flaring of Fossil Fuels, 1990-1999