When burning coal, oil and gas, carbon dioxide—also known as CO₂—is released into the atmosphere. To date, CO₂ emissions have risen dramatically. In the short industrial history of just 250 years, humans have increased the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere by around 40 %. An alarming value unprecedented on Earth in the past four million years. Humankind has accumulated CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which has already increased average global temperature by one degree Celsius since 1750.
Our app allows you to visualise the history of CO₂ emissions—and also the possible futures. By combining data from the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) and the baseline projections of CO₂ emissions by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), we were able to visualize the CO₂ emissions from 1751 to 2100 on a highly detailed geographical level. The app also provides you with two possible CO₂ futures: one with a policy of measures against climate change—and one without.