*Update: Newer and better versions of these maps are here.

Ever wondered if your state’s climate policy really makes a difference in the big global scheme of things? If so, here’s a little map I made.

For each state, the map shows a nation with equivalent greenhouse gas emissions from energy.

western map_300

The full US version is here.

When I’ve shown drafts to people, almost everyone wants to compare populations. The Western states population comparison is after the jump. The full data are here (xls).

  • Our work is made possible by the generosity of people like you!

    Thanks to Robert Munoz for supporting a sustainable Northwest.

  • Number of people (in millions), 2003

    Arizona 5.6 Nigeria 122.8
    California 35.5 Mexico 103.7
    Colorado 4.5 Cuba + Columbia 52.9
    Idaho 1.4 Jordan 5.5
    Montana 0.9 Morocco 31.7
    Nevada 2.2 Norway 4.6
    New Mexico 1.9 Finland 5.2
    Oregon 3.6 Ireland 3.9
    Utah 2.4 North Korea 22.5
    Washington 6.1 Iraq 24.7
    Wyoming 0.5 Vietnam 81.8
    Total 65 Total 459

    I find the full US map a bit overwhelming. Even more so when I realize that the 2003 population of the US—less than 300 million—has the same climate impact as the more than 1.5 billion people represented by the other countries listed on the map.

    And now, a word about my methodology. All data are from the US Department of Energy. Ghg data are an average of the period from 2001 to 2003; population data are for 2003. Emissions are from energy use only and they do not include carbon sinks. Countries are considered “equivalent” if their total emissions are within 10 percent of a state’s emissions. Obviously, there a million ways to slice these comparisons since many states and countries have similar levels of emissions.

    More information: