As of 2023, the United States is estimated to have emitted a cumulative total of 432 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) from fossil fuels and industry. This accounts for roughly a quarter of historical global emissions since the Industrial Revolution began, and makes the U.S. the biggest carbon emitter of all time.
The industrial revolution reaching the U.S.
The United States was still in its infancy when the Industrial Revolution first started in Europe, and by 1800 it had emitted just 250,000 metric tons CO₂. In comparison, European countries, specifically Great Britain, had already pumped millions of tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere from industrial activities. However, the U.S. would soon catch up and become a major global industrial power. Once the Industrial Revolution had reached the U.S., its economy shifted from agricultural to industrial, which saw emissions soar.
Post-WW2 emissions
By 1950, the U.S. was already responsible for 40 percent of global cumulative CO₂ emissions produced since 1750. Although annual emissions in the U.S. have been falling in recent years, it has still emitted far more CO₂ than any other country.
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023
(in million metric tons)
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Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023
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Emissions are based on territorial emissions (production-based) from fossil fuels and industry since 1750 and do not account for emissions embedded in trade. Land use change is not included.
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OWID. (November 21, 2024). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/
OWID. "Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023 (in million metric tons)." Chart. November 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/
OWID. (2024). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/
OWID. "Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions Produced in The United States from 1800 to 2023 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Nov 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/
OWID, Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/ (last visited February 23, 2025)
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced in the United States from 1800 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph], OWID, November 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224630/cumulative-co2-emissions-united-states-historical/
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