Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities are now higher than at any point in our history. In fact, global CO2 emissions were 182 times higher in 2022 than they were in 1850, around the time the Industrial Revolution was underway.

Most countries have seen their carbon emissions balloon over time as their populations and economies have grown. But these trajectories look quite different throughout different moments in history. For example, the U.K. once produced 6 times the greenhouse gas emissions of the U.S. Today, China ranks as world’s largest emitter, producing more than double the emissions of the U.S., the second-largest carbon dioxide producer.

Emissions data on WRI’s ClimateWatch tool spans 170+ years, allowing us to track the evolution of carbon emissions — and their changing sources. Read on for a visual history. 

Sanga Park/iStock

More than 3 billion people rely on “blue food,” or animals, plants or algae from the ocean, as a vital source of nutrition. Despite this, unsustainable practices have plagued the seafood supply chain, but sustainable solutions are emerging. Read more.

DFLC Prints/Shutterstock.

A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that the world will likely fall short of its goal of tripling renewable energy by 2030. Scaling wind and solar from their current 12% of global energy generation to the target 57%-78% range will require rapid changes. But some countries — like Uruguay, Denmark and Lithuania — have proven it’s possible to speedily scale renewables in just a few years. Read more.

IRENA/Flickr

For the first time in 15 years, countries are expected to set a new global climate finance goal later this year. The goal will replace wealthy nations’ previous target of providing $100 billion annually from 2020-2025, but will it be enough to meet vulnerable countries’ needs? Read more.