What percentage of annual global CO2 emissions to the atmosphere is due to burning fossil fuels?
A diagram at US Energy Information Administration website states that, in 2001, plants, soil and the oceans released about 207 billion metric tons (gigatons) of CO2 into the atmosphere while burning fossil fuels and industrial processes released 6.3 gigatons – about 3% of the total. The diagram also shows that plants, soil and the oceans together absorb about 210 gigatons per year. Until recently, the production and absorption of CO2 through natural processes has been in a state of relative equilibrium. Today, CO2 produced due to mans activities is upsetting the equilibrium. More CO2 is being released to the atmosphere than can be absorbed by plants, soil and the oceans, leading to an overall rise The SEED Science Center has information about the relative impact of major CO2 sinks and sources.
Related Questions
- What percentage of the CO2 in the atmosphere has been produced by human beings through the burning of fossil fuels?
- What percentage of annual global CO2 emissions to the atmosphere is due to burning fossil fuels?
- Is it possible to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions while burning fossil fuels?
