0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Year
Total annual CO
emissions 2
(million metric tons)
United States
Brazil
China
India
0
5
10
15
20
25
Year
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2010
Brazil
China
India
United States
Per capita CO
emissions 2
(metric tons per person)
Based on data from the United Nations Statistics Division, Millennium
Development Goals Indicators.
b.
a.
Critical and Creative Thinking Questions 241
100
+80
+60
+40
+20
0
–20
–40
–60
–80
NG Maps –100
✓✓THE PLANNER
Sustainable Citizen Question
- Distinguish between the benefits of the ozone layer in the
stratosphere and the harmful effects of ozone at ground
level. - What is the Montreal Protocol, and what environmental
problem is it designed to correct? - Discuss some of the possible causes of forest decline.
How might these factors interact to speed the
rate of decline?
8–10. This map shows one model of how warmer global
temperatures might alter precipitation in the United States
in the next 100 years. Colors indicate the percent change in
annual precipitation per century.
- Name three states with climates that may become
significantly wetter. Name three states with climates that
may become significantly drier. Explain your answer. - Locate the state where you live. Will it be wetter, drier, or
about the same? - In what ways might the projected changes in precipitation
in the next 100 years impact U.S. agriculture? the U.S.
economy?`
££° Consider the figures below, which depict total annual
CO 2 production and per person CO 2 production for the
United States, China, India, and Brazil over the past 30
years. Some people argue that China and India have
the biggest responsibility to cut emissions, because
they represent the greatest long–term emissions
sources. Others argue that because the United
States has such high per person emissions, it bears
the greatest responsibility. Which, if either, of these
arguments do you find more compelling? Why? Does
the historically low total and per person emissions from
countries like Brazil affect your decision?