Countries Who Contribute the Least Greenhouse Gasses

Greenhouse gasses are gasses that traps heat from the atmosphere and make the Earth warmer than it should be. Greenhouse gasses include Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide, Methane, Ozone, Chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor. The concentration of greenhouse gasses in the environment has steadily risen since the industrial revolution began in the 18th century. Most industrialized nations are heavy producers of greenhouse gasses. Countries that produce the least greenhouse gasses include; Nauru, Kiribati, Niue, Cook Islands, and Sao Tome and Principe.

Countries Who Contribute to the Least Greenhouse Gasses

Nauru

Nauru is ranked as the world’s smallest producer of greenhouse gases. The nation produced 0.05 metric tons of greenhouse gasses in 2014. Nauru is a small island nation in Micronesia in the Central Pacific Ocean. It is the world’s third smallest nation and occupies an area of 8.1 square miles. Nauru has a population of only 11,347 residents. The nation’s chief economic venture is the extraction of phosphate. Nauru’s low population and the low number of industries are the main reason it is the least producer of greenhouse gasses.

Kiribati

Kiribati is listed second among nations that produce the least greenhouse gasses. Its emissions in 2014 amounted to 0.08 metric tons. The country is situated in the central region of the Pacific Ocean. Kiribati consists of 31 reef Islands which occupy 310 square miles of land area. The nation has an estimated population of 110,136 residents. The nation’s capital city is Tarawa and is made of many islets linked together by several causeways. Most parts of the nation are uninhabited, and it has few industries operating in its territory. Therefore, the production of greenhouse gasses in Kiribati is minimal.

Niue

Niue is the third least producer of greenhouse gasses in the world. In 2014, the country was estimated to have emitted 0.09 metric tons of Carbon dioxide. Niue, situated in the South Pacific Ocean region occupies approximately 101 square miles and is home to 1,600 residents. The nation is a world leader in the use of renewable energy. Despite its low emission of greenhouse gasses, the country has one of the highest greenhouse emissions per capita.

Cook Islands

The Island nation of Cook Islands is the fourth lowest producer of greenhouse gasses in the entire world. The country produced 0.11 metric tons of greenhouse gasses in 2014. The Cook Islands consist of 15 Islands that cover 92.7 square miles of land. The Islands are located in the Southern region of the Pacific Ocean. Cook Islands nation is home to an estimated 17,400 residents. The mostly undeveloped Islands and low population are the responsible for the low greenhouse gas emission.

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe is the fifth lowest producer of greenhouse gasses. The nation produced 0.19 metric tons of Carbon dioxide in 2014. Sao Tome and Principe is an island country on the Gulf of Guinea. Before the 15th century, Sao Tome and Principe was uninhabited, and its first settlers were Portuguese explorers. Currently, the country has an estimated population of 208,000 residents making it one of Africa’s least populated nations. The few industries in the Island country make it one of the least producers of greenhouse gases.

Effects of Greenhouse Gasses on the Environment

Greenhouse gasses are destructive to the environment. Firstly, the increase in greenhouse gasses in the environment has led to a rise in the Earth’s surface temperature. As a result, snow is melting at an alarming rate. Secondly, the high level of Carbon dioxide in the environment affects plants development. Thirdly, greenhouse gasses destroy the Ozone layer which prevents harmful sun rays from reaching the earth’s surface.