Suspect 3. Generating Power
Over 63% of global electricity relies on sources that emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Most electricity is still generated by burning coal, oil, or gas, which produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide – powerful greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the sun’s heat.
Globally, coal, followed by gas, is the largest source of electricity production.
Because of its high carbon content, coal emits more CO2 than any other fossil fuel when it’s burned.
All electricity generation technologies emit greenhouse gases at some point in their life-cycle.
This includes fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear - while the extent and sources of emissions vary they all emit greenhouse gases at some point such as through extraction, construction, operation or decommissioning.
Making electricity is the single biggest contributor to global warming.
It is responsible for over 40% of energy-related carbon emissions.
In 2018, the world emitted 15.59 billion tons of carbon dioxide as a result of electricity and heat alone.
That is the same weight as 78000000 blue whales.
