Google Earth maps CO2 emissions
February 22nd, 2009 by Jim JustA team of US scientists led by Purdue University has unveiled an interactive Google Earth map showing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels across the United States. The mapping system is called the Vulcan project, after the Roman god of fire.
The interactive map allows you to view pollution levels from factories, power plants and residential and commercial areas in their state or county. You can also compare emission levels in your county with those of other counties in the U.S.
The county-level data (at least in Oregon) is still pretty sketchy, although the project’s leaders hope to incorporate more and more fine-scaled data over time.
What jumps out in the Oregon maps are emissions from the coal-fired power plant in Boardman, industrial emissions in Multnomah County, and transportation-related emissions everywhere else.
Total emissions by county
And here’s what it shows for per capita emissions:
Per capita emissions by county
| LEGEND | Total CO2 |
 |
Aircraft |
| Airport taxi, takeoff and landing and flight | |
 |
Commercial |
| Heating, engines, and other emitting processes at business locations | |
 |
Electricity production |
| Coal, oil, and natural gas power plants | |
 |
Industrial |
| All industrial processes (including agriculture), no electricity production | |
 |
Nonroad |
| Trains, boats, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, etc | |
 |
Onroad |
| Cars, trucks, buses | |
 |
Residential |
| Heating, water heating, cooking at residences |