East

China, for example, is the global frontrunner in terms of total emissions, exceeding that of the US in 2007. But, China is also a rapidly developing country with a very high population. In measuring the emissions per individual, China is ranked 50th in carbon emissions per capita, compared to Qatar, ranked first. Here, we show some of the top 50 global emitters per capita in the East and West, respectively. Many people make the mistake of conflating carbon emissions with carbon dioxide emissions. Climate expert Dr Joe Romm explains the difference: “The fraction of carbon in carbon dioxide is the ratio of their weights. The atomic weight of carbon is 12 atomic mass units, while the weight of carbon dioxide is 44, because it includes two oxygen atoms that each weigh 16. So, to switch from one to the other, use the formula: One tonne of carbon equals 44/12 = 11/3 = 3.67 tonnes of carbon dioxide.”