Discover the impact of human pollution on our planet with our interactive globe. Click on the different regions for detailed information on the following topics:
Our interactive globe
1. CO₂ emissions
Global CO₂ emissions: In 2023, global CO₂ emissions reached 39.0 billion tonnes, with G20 countries responsible for 83% of these emissions.
Regional distribution:
Asia: China is the largest emitter of CO₂ in the world.
North America: The USA is one of the largest CO₂ emitters.
Europe: The European Union reduced its emissions by 31% between 1990 and 2022, with the energy sector accounting for 77% of total emissions in 2022.
3. Extinction of species
Global decline: Since 1970, the number of vertebrate species worldwide has declined by 69% due to factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution.
Regional examples:
Africa: The elephant population has declined dramatically due to poaching and habitat loss. Current estimates put the number of elephants in Africa at around 400,000.
Southeast Asia: Deforestation for palm oil plantations has contributed to the decline of species such as the orangutan.
4. Deforestation
Global trends: Every year, tropical rainforest burns across an area more than half the size of Germany.
Regional data:
Amazon region: In the last four decades, 88 million hectares of rainforest have been destroyed in the Amazon region, an area equivalent to the size of Germany and France combined.
Southeast Asia: Indonesia has suffered significant forest loss in recent decades, mainly due to the expansion of palm oil plantations.
5. Floods
Global increase: With catastrophic floods, devastating forest fires, and prolonged droughts, the global climate crisis is now more noticeable than ever before.
Regional examples:
Europe: In recent years, countries such as Germany and Belgium have experienced devastating floods that caused significant damage.
Asia: Countries such as India and Bangladesh are increasingly affected by monsoon-related floods, affecting millions of people.
2. Plastic waste
Global pollution: Every year, approximately 57 million tons of plastic enter the environment, which has significant impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Regional hotspots:
Africa: In Nigeria, approximately 3.5 million tons of plastic waste were released into the environment in 2020, making the country the second largest plastic emitter.
Asia: In India, approximately 9.3 million tons of plastic waste were released into the environment in 2020, causing significant environmental pollution.
Countdown Earth: An interactive journey through our planet's challenges and solutions
Welcome to our interactive globe, which provides a comprehensive overview of the latest environmental statistics, data, and projects worldwide. Discover the most pressing environmental challenges and learn about inspiring initiatives working to protect our planet.