CARBON

FACT ONE

In one year the world emits 33 billion tons of CO2. That many tons could form a giant “CO2 cube” measuring over 28 km on each side. By 2030, our emissions of CO2 could rise to 40 billion tons.

FACT TWO

Deforestation is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s cars, trucks, planes and ships combined.

FACT THREE

The price is going up…The cost of not acting on climate change could be increasing 500 billion US dollars annually starting from 10.5 trillion in 2010.

FACT FOUR

A sea level rise of 1 metre would flood gigantic land areas, particularly in Asia, and could destroy the homes of more than 100 million people - essentially turning them into environmental refugees.

FACT FIVE

More than 70 percent of the world's population lives on coastal plains, and 11 of the world's 15 largest cities are on the coast.

FACT SIX

Australia now emits more CO2 than France, a country with a larger more diverse economy and a population almost three times greater.

FACT SEVEN

CO2 emissions by source in 2014: Electricity & Energy (49%), Transport (20%), Manufacturing Industries & Construction (20%), Residential buildings & commercial and public buildings (8.6%), Other (2.4%).

FACT EIGHT

Global CO2 concentration in 1959 was 315.97 ppm - in 2018 it was 408.52 ppm, an increase of 22.65% over 59 years.

FACT NINE

Humans have pumped enough carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the past 150 years to raise its levels higher than they have been for hundreds of thousands of years.

FACT TEN

Burning a litre of fuel: A vehicle emits nearly 2.4 litres of CO2 - a typical late-model, mid-sized sedan emits approximately 4,300 kg of CO2 in a year

FACT ELEVEN

Preserving an average acre of forest in the US keeps more than 260,000 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere

FACT TWELVE

Replacing 6 interior light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones can keep nearly 250 kg of CO2 out of the atmosphere each year

FACT THIRTEEN

Australian households generate almost 20% of Australia's total carbon emissions - the average Australian has a carbon footprint of about 15 tonnes CO2 per year.

FACT FOURTEEN

Australia has one of the highest per capita emissions of carbon dioxide in the world, with 0.3% of the world's population it produces 1.3% of the world's greenhouse gases.