The line graph illustrates the changes in carbon emissions from three different fossil fuels – gas, oil, and coal in the United Kingdom over a 20-year period from 1990 to 2010.
Overall, it is evident that gas experienced a significant upward trend, while coal witnessed a considerable decline over the period. Notably, the most dramatic change occurred in gas, which overtook both oil and coal to become the dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the period. Meanwhile, oil remained relatively stable throughout.
In 1990, the figure for coal stood at approximately 300 million tons, which was considerably higher than both oil at around 200 million tons and gas at just under 150 million tons. Over the next five years, coal experienced a steady decline, falling to roughly 250 million tons by 1995. Conversely, gas showed a gradual increase during this period, climbing to nearly 200 million tons. Oil remained fairly constant, fluctuating slightly around the 200-million-ton mark.
From 2000 onwards, the trend for coal reversed dramatically, falling sharply to below 100 million tons by 2010. Meanwhile, gas continued its upward trajectory, soaring to a peak of approximately 250 million tons in 2010, thereby overtaking both oil and coal. In contrast, oil remained relatively stable throughout the entire period, maintaining a consistent level of around 200 million tons, with only minor fluctuations. By the end of the period, gas had become the primary emission source, while coal had fallen to the lowest position.