11 Maps That’ll Tell You Why Paris Climate Change Conference Is So Important

1. Area: This is the accurate size of actual land area of countries. Flat maps do not let you get a precise picture.

2. Population: More than half of the world’s population lives in the area shaded green, which includes India and China.

3. Wealth: 2013 world GDP estimate shows North America and Europe dominating. Asia is led by China, Japan, South Korea and India.

4. Reserves: Much of the world’s oil, gas and coal lie in the bloated areas of the map.

More reserves mean more extraction leading to increase in CO2 emissions.

5. Historical consumption: CO2 emissions from energy consumption from 1850 to 2011.

This was the industrialisation period of Europe and North America.

6. Extraction: CO2 emissions from oil, coal and gas extraction in 2013.

China leads the pack.

7. Consumption: This is the carbon footprint of all goods and services consumed in 2012. Notice India and China.

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8. Emissions: CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in 2013. China has been the biggest contributor.

9. Sea level: Most people in East Asia live less than 5 meters above sea level, putting them at risk if the level rises.

10. Poverty: This chart shows the world’s poor living on less than USD 1.25 a day. India has as many poor as the whole of Africa.

Poverty denies access to basic medical services and facilities. Climate change causes disasters affecting the poor the most.

11. At risk: Due to population, poverty and sea level threat, China and India that are at maximum risk from climate change.

This map is according to the number of people affected by floods, droughts or other catastrophes triggered from climate change.

This is one of the reasons why India has been most vocal about discussions on climate change. Finding a way to a sustainable future is what the COP21 conference being held in Paris is all about.

Map credit: Carbon Map