- As of 2007 China generated 8 gigatons of carbon dioxide annually (which amounts to 6 tons/person). In addition, there were 21 cars per every 1,000 people.
- As a point of comparison for the previous fact, the United States produced 7 gigatons annually in 2007, with 451 cars per every 1,000 people. Canada generated 24 metric tons of carbon dioxide per person.
- In 2008, China led the world in renewable energy production generating 537 billion kilowatt-hours (bkwh), 20% of their total energy needs. Wind and hydroelectric are the leading sources of renewable energy.
- China is followed by the US (393 bkwh), Canada (390 bkwh), and Brazil (385 bkwh) in terms of top renewable energy producers.
- 2030 forecasts predict that 70% of China’s energy will come from coal, double the amount of coal used now.
Source: June 2011 issue of National Geographic
Image source: Metropolitan Museum of Art
