U.S. leads in total greenhouse gas emissions since 1850
Carbon dioxide can last in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, so emissions from decades ago are still warming the planet. Cumulatively, the U.S. put out the most greenhouse gas emissions since 1850, both from burning fossil fuels and from land use changes like deforestation.
Notes
The EU, which is composed of 27 countries, absorbed 2,282 gigatons of carbon dioxide through land use changes, like tree planting, to reduce its total greenhouse gas emissions.
