Sources

The world now produces 22 billion metric tons of CO₂ (6.1 billion metric tons of carbon) each year from human activity (anthropogenic CO₂).^1,2,3 Humans add this anthropogenic CO₂ to the atmosphere primarily through the use of fossil fuels in transportation, electrical generation, heating and cooling, and in industrial activities. Humans also add anthropogenic CO₂ to the atmosphere through activities like cement manufacturing and agricultural practices.

Together the United States and Canada generate nearly a third of

Locations of Major Stationary CO2 Sources Click for larger image

the world's anthropogenic CO₂. As shown in the Global CO₂ Emissions diagram, comparing global output to U.S. and Canadian output, the United States produces about 5.7 billion metric tons (nearly 27%) of the global total, and Canada adds another 0.6 billion metric tons (nearly 3%).

The PCOR Partnership region generates about 40% of Canada's anthropogenic CO₂ and 9% of the anthropogenic CO₂ generated in the United States. The PCOR Partnership region output is equivalent to about 3.0% of the world's total anthropogenic CO₂ output each year, as shown in the CO₂ Emissions diagram comparing the PCOR Partnership region output to global output.

The PCOR Partnership is focused on finding practical ways to manage CO₂ from major stationary sources related to electricity generation, energy exploration and production activities, agricultural processing, chemical production, and ethanol production, as well as various manufacturing and industrial activities. Major stationary sources, shown on the map, account for about 65% of anthropogenic CO₂ in the region. CO₂ is also emitted by transportation sources (26%) as well as from residential, commercial, and minor industrial sites (9%).

To better manage CO₂ emissions, the PCOR Partnership is mainly concerned with developing strategies to capture and sequester CO₂ emissions from electrical generation and industry sources but is also working to implement terrestrial sequestration that can capture and store CO₂ from the atmosphere.

The majority of the region's CO₂ emissions from stationary sources come from just a few source types. About two-thirds of the CO₂ from major sources is emitted during electricity generation. The remaining third is emitted by industrial sources, petroleum refining and natural gas processing, ethanol production, and agricultural processing.

The following diagrams show emissions by major source types for the U.S. and Canadian portions of the PCOR Partnership region.

• Total U.S. Emissions
• CO₂ Emissions in the United States by Sector
• Canada's CO₂ Emissions
• CO₂ Emissions in Canada by Sector

References:

1. www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html (accessed April 2007).
2. One ton of carbon combines with 2.7 tons of oxygen to make 3.7 tons of CO₂. This means that 22 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide contains about 6.1 billion tons of carbon.
3. 1 metric ton = 2204.6 pounds (an English system ton is 2000 pounds).