Global Warming’s Biggest Contributors

A list of the world's biggest carbon dioxide emitters and the countries trying to change

With North America preoccupied with political scandals and terrorism (what else is new?), I figured it might be a good time to change the subject to something that actually matters. Something that affects every soul walking this earth: global warming.

Meet the world’s biggest CO2 polluters. If the world is to combat climate change, these countries will have their work cut out for them.

While they are the world’s worst CO2 emitters, they could also be considered among the earth’s biggest fossil fuel extractors and users. They do after all go hand in hand.

China tops the list to no one’s surprise. China accounts for nearly half of the world’s coal consumption and continues to increase its oil imports, but there is a silver lining here. China is making huge investments in green energy.

Out of the $269 billion spent globally on green energy last year, China’s share was $65.1 billion, more than a fifth. The United States is the world’s second largest CO2 polluter and has now been relegated to 2nd place in green energy investment. In fact, US investment has shrunk close to 40% in just the last year.

Of the top emitters, there are a handful of countries that also make the list per capita. Out of Australia, The US, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Russia and South Korea, only the United States is in the top ten in green energy development.

Unfortunately, most of the fossil fuel rich countries still don’t feel the need to invest in the planet and their economic future. Oil and coal won’t be around forever, if these countries don’t join the club soon they’ll find themselves going from riches to rags in no time.