The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide output across four European countries: the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal, between 1967 and 2007, measured in terms of per capita values in metric tonnes.
Overall, the UK’s carbon dioxide release consistently registered by far the highest figure, while the opposite was true for Portugal. In addition, all four European countries’ emissions increased to varying degrees, albeit with some fluctuations.
Turning first to the higher figures in the line graph, the UK led this list throughout the given period. Commencing with a massive output of carbon dioxide at approximately 11 metric tonnes, the United Kingdom discharged a peak output until 1977. From this year onwards, its emissions slightly decreased to around 9 metric tonnes, but the United Kingdom still remained the dominant polluter throughout the first four decades. As for Sweden, initially, it was the second largest carbon output on the line graph with almost 9 metric tonnes. Sweden’s output rose modestly, hitting just under 11 metric tonnes in 1977.
Since 1978, Swedish output experienced a moderate decline until the end of the period. Notably, by 1987, Italy and Sweden shared identical carbon dioxide emissions, coinciding at 7 metric tonnes.
Regarding the smaller volumes, Italy’s quantity of carbon dioxide stood just above 4 metric tonnes in 1967 and climbed steadily until 1987, outstripping Sweden’s declining figure after their intersection before leveling off at nearly 8 metric tonnes by 2007. On the other hand, despite an interrupted upward trend, Portugal remained the lowest polluter among the four European countries for the majority of the period, expanding from just above 1 metric tonne to 5.5 metric tonnes over the course of four decades, where it ultimately shared the bottom position with Sweden.