CO2 Emissions Per Capita vs. GDP Per Capita

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

Data, Graphs, and Maps

6-AP

Synopsis

This interactive graph and table allows students to explore the correlations between a country's per capita GDP and their per capita CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement production.
The data chart is available in linear and log scales and the data begin in the year 1800 for some countries.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Economics, Mathematics

Authors: Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This resource provides downloadable charts that are customizable by date and country.
Students may be able to see the differences in this information easier because larger values are represented by larger circles.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should know how to read a graph and be familiar with log scales.
Selecting a range of years will show vectors that track each country's emissions over that time period, which may make it difficult to read if many countries are selected at the same time or if the time frame is long.

Differentiation

Math classes could use this resource for lessons about linear and logarithmic equations or using data to make graphs.
Social studies classes could use this to discuss why some countries may be better at achieving a higher GDP per capita without emitting a high amount of CO2 per capita.
Science classes can use this resource to connect to lessons about the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, or fossil fuels.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.