CO2 Bowling Over India: NASA’s Visualization Reveals the Alarming Surge in Emissions

NASA has once again captivated the scientific community and the public with a groundbreaking visualization tool that vividly illustrates how carbon dioxide (CO₂) circulates across our planet. This tool provides a mesmerizing, animated depiction of global CO₂ concentrations, highlighting the intricate movements of this critical greenhouse gas and its profound impact on Earth’s climate. The visualization, featured in a recent NASA YouTube video, offers a fresh perspective on CO₂ emissions and their global distribution, bringing to light the complexities of Earth’s carbon cycle.

India’s CO₂ Emissions: A Stark Visual Reality

One of the most striking revelations from NASA’s visualization is the depiction of CO₂ emissions over India. The animation showcases vibrant orange plumes of CO₂ that rise from India and swirl across the globe. These plumes, representing areas with CO₂ concentrations between 420 and 460 parts per million (ppm), starkly illustrate the extent of emissions in the region. The visualization underscores how CO₂ emissions in India are not just a local phenomenon but part of a larger, interconnected global pattern, with emissions transported from neighboring regions and continents.

Further, NASA scientists explain that the CO₂ plumes observed over India are generated by a mix of sources, including power plants, industrial activities, transportation, and urban areas. India’s reliance on coal as a primary energy source significantly contributes to these emissions. The visualization also highlights the impact of emissions from neighboring countries and regions, reinforcing the idea that CO₂ knows no borders, and that India’s carbon footprint is both a local and a global concern.

 A Closer Look

• In 2021, India’s total CO₂ emissions reached 2,279.007 million tonnes (Mt), marking a significant 156% increase from 2000 to 2021.
• Globally, India ranked 3^rd in total CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion. 
• On a per capita basis, India’s CO₂ emissions were 1.619 tonnes in 2021, placing the country 33^rd worldwide.

Picture courtesy: International Energy Agency (IEA), India

• Coal remains the largest source of CO₂ emissions in India, accounting for 71% of the total emissions. 
• The sectoral breakdown reveals that electricity and heat producers are responsible for 51% of the country’s energy-related CO₂ emissions. Read more on International Energy Agency (IEA), India.

Moreover, the animation reveals a pulsing effect in the CO₂ plumes over India, which can be attributed to several factors, including the day-night cycle, plant photosynthesis, and the daily fluctuations in the planetary boundary layer (the lowest part of the atmosphere). During daylight hours, as the Earth’s surface warms, the boundary layer rises, leading to an increase in CO₂ concentrations. Conversely, at night, the boundary layer falls as the surface cools, resulting in a temporary decrease in CO₂ levels. This dynamic interplay highlights the complexity of CO₂ distribution and its relation to natural processes.

Experience the mesmerizing pulsing of CO2 emissions as they spread across the globe in this stunning visualization from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio. See how CO2 levels rise and fall over time, revealing the dynamic nature of Earth’s atmosphere. Download the full visualization here: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5196 Credits: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio.

India ranks 7^th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) this year, 2024, reflecting its strong performance in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy use categories. Despite its low per capita emissions, India remains heavily reliant on coal, which contributes significantly to its greenhouse gas emissions. Experts urge India to accelerate its renewable energy adoption and phase out coal faster to achieve more ambitious climate goals. Read more

Global Implications and the Path Forward

The data used to create this visualization were gathered from various satellite instruments, including the Terra satellite’s MODIS and the Suomi-NPP satellite’s VIIRS instruments. These instruments provide critical information on atmospheric conditions, helping scientists understand the movement and density of CO₂ across the globe.

Lesley Ott, a climate scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasized the importance of this visualization in understanding the impact of human activities on climate change. “We can’t tackle climate change without confronting the fact that we’re emitting massive amounts of CO₂, and it’s warming the atmosphere,” Ott said. The visualization underscores the urgency of addressing CO₂ emissions, which have reached unprecedented levels in recent years, contributing to the hottest year on record in 2023.Therefore, this visualization tool not only provides valuable insights into the current state of Earth’s atmosphere but also serves as a powerful tool for predicting future CO₂ levels and their impact on global climate patterns. By enhancing our understanding of the carbon cycle, NASA’s CO₂ visualization tool is a critical resource for scientists, policymakers, and the public as we work towards mitigating the effects of climate change.