The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per capita in four countries—namely the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal—over a span of forty years from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, while the initial carbon emissions varied among the countries, substantial changes have occurred, resulting in a convergence of emissions by 2007.
In 1967, the United Kingdom exhibited the highest carbon dioxide emissions, commencing at 11 metric tonnes per person. This rate saw a consistent decline over the years, ultimately reducing to approximately 8.5 metric tonnes by 2007. In contrast, Sweden’s emissions began at 9 metric tonnes and peaked at 10 metric tonnes in 1977 before experiencing a significant downward trend that concluded at 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.
Italy’s emissions trajectory was marked by an initial total of 4 metric tonnes per capita, which surged to 7.5 metric tonnes by the mid-1990s before slightly contracting to 7 tonnes by the end of the observed period. Similarly, Portugal’s emissions exhibited a dramatic ascendance, starting at a mere 1 metric tonne and escalating to 5.5 metric tonnes by 2007, aligning its emissions with those of Sweden. Thus, both Italy and Portugal demonstrated a notable increase in their carbon footprints, despite their relatively lower initial emissions compared to the other countries.