CO₂ Emissions Per Capita vs. GDP Per Capita

• This interactive graph and table allows students to explore the correlations between a country's per capita GDP and their per capita CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and cement production.
• The data chart is available in linear and log scales and the data begin in the year 1800 for some countries.
  

Positives

• This resource provides downloadable charts that are customizable by date and country.
• Students may be able to see the differences in this information easier because larger values are represented by larger circles.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should know how to read a graph and be familiar with log scales.
• Selecting a range of years will show vectors that track each country's emissions over that time period, which may make it difficult to read if many countries are selected at the same time or if the time frame is long.
  

Differentiation

• Math classes could use this resource for lessons about linear and logarithmic equations or using data to make graphs.
  
• Social studies classes could use this to discuss why some countries may be better at achieving a higher GDP per capita without emitting a high amount of CO₂ per capita.
• Science classes can use this resource to connect to lessons about the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, or fossil fuels.

This resource explores the linear relationship between CO₂ emissions and GDP per capita from selected countries of the world. Students can examine this resource to gain insights on the communalities and annual change. However, the resource is recommended.