Human activities such as the burning of oil, coal and gas, as well as deforestation are the primary cause of the increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.
According to the most recent data from the Global Carbon Project from 2020, the top five countries that produced the most CO2 are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and the U.K.
China, the United States, and the nations that make up the European Union are the three largest emitters on an absolute basis. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions are highest in the United States and Russia.
Burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas is the leading cause of increased anthropogenic CO 2; deforestation is the second major cause.
Transportation (27% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes.
Fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas — produce 80% of our energy. We rely on them every day for our fuel, electricity, and heat. Fossil fuels are also the primary culprit behind global warming: they contribute 76-87% of CO2 emissions annually.
There are both natural and human sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release and respiration. Human sources come from activities like cement production, deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas.