U.S. And China Emissions Caused $1.8 Trillion Each In Worldwide Economic Damages Over 25 Years, Study Estimates

Topline

Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and China from 1990 to 2014 caused a combined $3.6 trillion in economic damages around the world, according to a study published Tuesday by researchers at Dartmouth College.

A new report from Dartmouth College found greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. caused $1.8 … [+] trillion in global economic damages. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Key Facts

The five biggest greenhouse gas emitters – the U.S., China, India, Russia and Brazil – were responsible for a combined $6 trillion in global economic losses, the equivalent of 11% of annual global gross domestic product, over the 25-year period studied, according to the paper, which was published in the journal Climate Change.

The top two emitters were China and the U.S., which each caused $1.8 trillion in economic damage, followed by India, Russia and Brazil, at just over $500 billion in damages each over the same time.

Countries with higher GDPs that emitted more greenhouse gas “benefited themselves while harming low-income, low emitting countries,” the researchers wrote, particularly the Global South, where warmer weather stunted agricultural yields, reduced labor productivity and decreased industrial output.

The top 10 global emitters caused more than two-thirds of economic losses, according to the study, which used economic and weather data from 143 countries.

Key Background

In February, a United Nations report warned that exceeding a global temperature rise of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit over the next two decades will cause “severe impacts” that are “irreversible.” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chair Hoesung Lee called the report a “dire warning about the consequences of inaction.” It’s uncertain if the U.S. will meet President Joe Biden’s goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to 52% from 2005 levels by 2030. Last month, the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to control power plant emissions under the Clean Air Act, arguing that the agency had been overly expansive in its regulations. Roughly 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 came from transportation, followed by electricity (25%), industry (24%), commercial and residential (13%) and agriculture (11%), according to data from the EPA.

Big Number

16.5%. That’s the share of global GDP losses from U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the most of any country, followed by China (15.8%).

Crucial Quote

“This research provides an answer to the question of whether there is a scientific basis for climate liability claims – the answer is yes,” said Christopher Callahan, the lead author of the study.

Surprising Fact

U.S. emissions cost Mexico $79.5 billion but earned Canada $247.2 billion, the study finds – a sign to scientists that global warming is having a greater effect on less industrialized countries in warmer climates.