Energy consumed and CO2 emissions for top 3 countries

Yesterday I read about the smog-filtering bicycles to be launched in China. This brought up a question about the utility and the state of affairs of CO2 emissions and air pollution in China.

From my trips to Chinese capital city of Beijing three years back, I recall the high level of pollution and the orange sunsets there. And over the past week we have been seeing Orange sunsets in Bellevue, WA as well. The local orange sunset was because of forest fires up north in British Columbia, Canada. Nonetheless both signify a common source of burning of the forests or fossil fuel. Nearby Beijing there are several coal power plants which produce air pollution. All around Beijing there are millions of air conditioners which locally purify air, but spew out hot chemicals outside. As a result the environment is challenged there.

Decades of fast growth has definitely increased the energy consumption and likely increased pollution. My hypothesis is that increase in GDP correlates strongly with increase in energy consumption and hence pollution too. I looked at a quick comparison of the countries. As per facts, China has highest population, highest energy consumption and CO2 emissions. On a per-capita basis US has the highest energy consumption and highest CO2 emissions too.

Over the past decade there are several efforts underway to use renewable sources of energy. There are thousands of projects to control emissions. I am encouraged to see these efforts that can help us. At a micro-level, each of us can do something better to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. For instance, walking or biking for the daily destinations can both reduce the environmental impact as we well increase individual fitness. At a macro level, let us hope and help the leaders influence positive changes.