Chart A: GHG Emissions Over Time

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This chart shows total greenhouse gas emissions from 1980 to 2020 for five major countries. China’s emissions have surged since the early 2000s, overtaking the U.S. to become the largest emitter. The U.S. peaked around 2005 and has declined gradually. India’s emissions are steadily rising with industrial growth, while Russia saw a sharp drop in the early 1990s. Japan has remained pretty stable. This visualization highlights how emissions trends reflect policy, economic development, and global shifts in energy consumption.

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This scatterplot compares greenhouse gas emissions per person with each country’s Human Development Index (HDI). The U.S. combines high HDI with high per-capita emissions, while India has both low emissions and a lower HDI. China and Russia are in between. This chart suggests that development often comes with increased emissions, but it also asks some questions about how countries can grow economically without significantly increasing their environmental impact.

Chart C: Renewable Energy Share Over Time

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This chart shows how much of each country’s energy came from renewable sources over time. India and China are rapidly expanding their use of renewables, driven by energy demand and national climate strategies. The U.S. and Japan show slower growth in clean energy, while Russia has made very little to no progress and continues to depend on fossil fuels.

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This line chart tracks changes in the Human Development Index (HDI) from 1980 to 2020. Japan and the U.S. consistently rank high, reflecting stable progress in education, income, and health. India and China show steady improvement over time, while Russia experienced a decline in the 1990s followed by gradual recovery. The chart highlights differences in development trajectories across countries.

Chart E: Boxplot of HDI by Country

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This boxplot summarizes the spread of HDI values for each country from 1980 to 2020. The U.S. and Japan show high, stable HDI scores with little variability. China and India show increasing medians and wider ranges, which means they have had fast development over time. Russia’s variation shows both its 1990s decline and later rebound. The chart compares the long-term development patterns.

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This scatterplot shows how much energy a person uses relative to the country’s GDP per capita. The U.S. and Russia use large amounts of energy per person, with high or moderate GDP. India uses the least energy and has a low GDP per capita. China is rapidly moving up in both. This chart reveals how economic growth typically increases energy consumption, but also underscores the need for efficiency.

Chart G: Life Expectancy vs. GHG Emissions

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This chart shows how a country’s greenhouse gas emissions relate to life expectancy. The U.S. and Japan both have high life expectancies, but their emissions are very different. India’s low emissions are paired with lower life expectancy. China and Russia fall in between. This shows that high emissions are not necessarily required for better health outcomes, as seen with Japan’s efficiency.

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This bar chart displays total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 for each of the five countries. China emitted the most by far, followed by the U.S. and India. Russia and Japan contributed significantly less. This provides a better understanding of recent national emission levels, helping us understand global responsibility and overall urgency for climate action.