Brian Barton
The United States has historically emitted more greenhouse gases than any other country, and while it is no longer the largest single emitter, it is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In 2022, US greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,343 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, with carbon dioxide accounting for 79% of these emissions. The US has made efforts to reduce emissions, and from 1990 to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of goods and services decreased by 55%. However, the typical American burns twice as much as the average European or Japanese person and 10 times as much as the average Indian. This raises the question of how much pollution Americans contribute and what can be done to reduce it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total emissions in 2022 | 6,343.2 Million Metric Tons of CO₂ equivalent |
| Percentage decrease in emissions since 1990 | 3.0% |
| Percentage decrease in emissions from 2019 to 2020 | Sharp decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Percentage increase in emissions from 2020 to 2022 | 5.7% |
| Percentage decrease in emissions of carbon dioxide from 1990 to 2022 | 2% |
| Percentage decrease in emissions per dollar of goods and services produced by the U.S. economy from 1990 to 2022 | 55% |
| Percentage of electricity from burning fossil fuels in 2022 | 60% |
| Percentage of the U.S. population living in places with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution in 2025 | 46% (156.1 million people) |
| Percentage of the overall population of the U.S. made up by people of color | 41.2% |
| Percentage of people living in a county with at least one failing grade for air quality who are people of color | 50.2% |
| The U.S.'s rank in historical emissions | 1st |
| Percentage of emissions decrease from 1980 to 2023 | 78% |
| Percentage of air toxics emissions decrease from 1990 to 2017 | 74% |
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What You'll Learn
The US has historically emitted more than any other country
The United States has historically emitted more greenhouse gases than any other country. In 2017, David G. Victor, a longtime scholar of climate politics at the University of California, San Diego, affirmed this by stating, "In cumulative terms, we certainly own this problem more than anybody else does." Despite no longer being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere, with a population of just over 4% of the world's population.
The typical American burns twice as much fossil fuel as the average person in Europe or Japan and ten times as much as the average person in India. In 2022, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totaled 6,343 million metric tons (14 trillion pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalents, a 3% decrease since 1990. However, emissions increased by 5.7% from 2020 to 2022 due to the rebound in economic activity after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main sources of these emissions include the transportation, commercial and residential, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The transportation sector, which includes emissions from electricity production, accounted for 60% of the country's electricity generation in 2022. Commercial and residential emissions arise from fossil fuel burning for heat and gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings. The industrial sector's emissions come primarily from burning fossil fuels for energy and specific chemical reactions to produce goods from raw materials. Finally, agricultural emissions are from livestock, agricultural soils, and rice production.
While there has been a decline in emissions since 1990, air pollution continues to be a significant issue in the United States. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment. Additionally, 46% of Americans (approximately 156.1 million people) live in areas with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This issue disproportionately affects communities of color, who are also more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution.
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Americans burn twice as much as Europeans or Japanese
The United States has historically emitted more greenhouse gases than any other country. While China surpassed the US in terms of emissions about a decade ago, the US is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, with China responsible for less than a sixth.
The typical American burns roughly twice the amount of fossil fuels as the average person in Europe or Japan, and ten times as much as the average person in India. This is due in part to the longer history of burning coal, oil, and natural gas in the US. China, on the other hand, has four times the population of the US, so the per capita fossil fuel consumption is much lower.
Despite this, the US has made progress in reducing air pollution. From 1990 to 2017, emissions of air toxics declined by 74%, thanks to federal and state regulations and technological advancements. Between 1970 and 2023, the gross domestic product increased by 321%, vehicle miles traveled increased by 194%, energy consumption increased by 42%, and the US population grew by 63%. During this time, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78%. From 1990 to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of goods and services produced by the US economy declined by 55%.
However, the US has also faced criticism for its role in climate change. In 2017, the Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement, a 195-nation accord aimed at combating climate change. This decision was criticized as a setback for efforts to address the climate crisis and reducing emissions.
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China emits double the US amount
While the United States is historically the biggest carbon polluter and has emitted the largest amount of greenhouse gases of any country, it is no longer the largest single emitter. In fact, China surpassed the US over a decade ago, and its emissions are about double the American figure.
China's emissions are partly a result of the production of goods for the US and other rich countries. However, the US has been burning fossil fuels for far longer. With just over 4% of the world's population, the US is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide heating the planet. In contrast, China is responsible for less than a sixth.
Despite having four times the population of the US, China's per capita emissions are lower. The average Chinese person burns less than half the amount of fossil fuels as the average American. Nevertheless, the US has made significant progress in reducing its emissions in recent years. From 1990 to 2017, emissions of air toxics declined by 74%, largely due to federal and state regulations and technological advancements. Between 1970 and 2023, the US population grew by 63%, while total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78%.
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US emissions declined 74% from 1990-2017
The United States has historically emitted more greenhouse gases than any other country, and citizens of the United States burn, on average, twice as much fossil fuel as the average person in Europe or Japan, and ten times as much as the average person in India. In 2022, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,343 million metric tons (14.0 trillion pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Despite this, there has been a downward trend in emissions from 1990 to 2022, with a 55% decline in greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of goods and services (GDP) produced by the U.S. economy. From 1990 to 2017, emissions of air toxics declined by 74%, driven by federal and state implementation of stationary and mobile source regulations, and technological advancements.
The downward trend in emissions from 1990 to 2022 is largely due to the growing use of natural gas and renewables to generate electricity in place of more carbon-intensive fuels. Additionally, the sharp decline in emissions from 2019 to 2020 was largely due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on travel and economic activity.
However, emissions increased from 2020 to 2022 by 5.7%, driven largely by an increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion due to economic activity rebounding after the height of the pandemic. In 2022, the transportation sector accounted for the largest share (28.4%) of emissions, followed by the electric power sector (25%).
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46% of Americans live in places with unhealthy air (ozone and particle pollution)
According to the American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report, 46% of Americans (approximately 156 million people) live in areas with unhealthy air quality that received “F” grades for ozone or particle pollution. This is an increase of about 25 million people compared to the previous year's survey. The report analysed data from 2021 to 2023 and concluded that the country is regressing in terms of clean air measures.
The effects of climate change, including heat, drought, and increased wildfire smoke, are significant contributors to the decline in air quality across the country. Extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, such as the 2023 deadly heat wave and smoke from Canada's worst wildfire season, have worsened air pollution levels in central and eastern states.
The State of the Air report specifically focuses on two of the most dangerous and widespread air pollutants: fine particles and ozone. Particle pollution can be short-term or year-round, and both types of pollution can have severe health impacts on individuals. For example, people who live or work near busy highways are at a higher risk of health issues due to traffic pollution. Additionally, air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development in children, and even lead to premature death.
Communities of colour are disproportionately affected by unhealthy air quality. People of colour make up 41.2% of the US population but represent 50.2% of those living in counties with failing grades for air quality. This disparity is attributed to the long history of systemic racism in the US, with power plants, industrial facilities, and highways often placed in economically disadvantaged communities of colour. Hispanic individuals are nearly three times more likely than white individuals to live in communities with the worst air quality.
While efforts to reduce air pollution sources have been made, the report highlights a concerning trend of increasing air pollution levels in recent years, impacting the health and well-being of a significant portion of the American population.
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Frequently asked questions
The US is historically responsible for more emissions than any other country, but it is no longer the world's largest single emitter of greenhouse gases. China surpassed the US a decade ago, and its emissions are about double the American figure. In 2022, US greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,343 million metric tons (14 trillion pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalents, a 3% decrease since 1990.
The typical American burns roughly twice as much as the average person in Europe or Japan, and 10 times as much as the average person in India.
The transportation sector, industry, commercial and residential sectors, and agriculture are the main sources of pollution in the US. The commercial and residential sectors are responsible for fossil fuels burned for heat, gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings, and waste handling. The industrial sector is responsible for burning fossil fuels for energy and certain chemical reactions to produce goods from raw materials. The power plants and factories also contribute to pollution.
According to the "State of the Air" 2025 report, 46% of Americans (approximately 156.1 million people) live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people than the previous year's report.
