Are total emissions or per-capita emissions a better gauge when comparing the CO2 emissions of various countries? Why?
It would help to relate to number of drivers in each country, not just per capita.
When comparing the CO2 emissions of various countries, both total emissions and per-capita emissions provide valuable insights, but each gauge has its merits depending on the context and purpose of the comparison.
Total emissions refer to the overall amount of CO2 emissions produced by a country in a given period, usually measured in metric tons. This metric is useful to assess a country's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and to determine its environmental impact on a global scale. For instance, if the goal is to understand which countries are the largest contributors to climate change, total emissions allow for a direct comparison of the scale of emissions between countries.
On the other hand, per-capita emissions measure the average amount of CO2 emissions attributed to each individual within a country's population, typically in metric tons per person per year. This metric provides a fairer comparison by accounting for population differences among countries. Per-capita emissions highlight the level of emissions relative to the size of the population, indicating the average impact of each citizen. It can be valuable for assessing a country's individual responsibility and the lifestyle choices and policies that contribute to emissions.
To determine which gauge is better, it depends on the specific objectives of the comparison. If the aim is to evaluate the overall environmental impact on a global scale or identify the largest contributors to climate change, total emissions is a more appropriate metric. However, if the focus is on equitable responsibility or assessing individual contributions, per-capita emissions will provide a more accurate representation.
Ultimately, considering both total emissions and per-capita emissions together can provide a more comprehensive understanding of a country's CO2 emissions and its overall impact on global climate change.