🌡️ +200kg Per Capita Emissions. Literacy Up 19%. +14Y Life Expectancy.
Chart of the Day #76 looks at Literacy Rate, Carbon Emissions and Life Expectancy.
A new study revealed that 80% of global CO2 emissions came from 57 companies between 2016 and 2022, with most fossil fuel production increasing after the Paris Agreement was signed. China's scientific literacy rate has risen to 14% in 2023, a 1.2 percentage-point increase from 2022.
Today's Topics
✏️ Literacy Rate. Global literacy rate has risen by 18.7% since 1990
🌡️ Carbon Emissions. Carbon emissions per capita rise 200kg in 2021
🧑⚕️ Life Expectancy. Africa sees 14+ year increase in life expectancy from 1990 to 2019
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✏️ Global Literacy Rate Has Risen by 18.7% Since 1990
Over the past three decades, the global literacy rate has grown by 18.7%, leading to improved social indicators and enhanced human capital, resulting in increased economic growth rates. Individuals with low levels of literacy often face limited employment opportunities. Challenges in reading and understanding complex text can make basic tasks such as comprehending government policies or medication instructions difficult, significantly impacting quality of life.
The narrowing of the gender gap in education, driven by shifting gender roles, improved access to educational resources on the internet, and decreased racial gaps, leading to more opportunities for minority groups, have collectively contributed to the upward trajectory of literacy rates. Governments globally prioritizing education make it easier for children to enroll in school and acquire the skills necessary for a successful future.
🌡️ Per Capita Carbon Emissions Increase by 200kg
In 2021, global per capita carbon emissions increased to 4.69 tons, marking a rise of 200kg per person from 2020. This escalation contributes to rising global temperatures. Despite international commitments such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, temperatures have surpassed targets as of 2023. This breach shows the need for immediate and sustained efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate global warming and enhance air quality.
In efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the renewable energy expansion, shown by a 50% increase in capacity from 2022 to 2023, aims to diminish reliance on fossil fuel power plants. The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is evident, with the US selling 1.2 million EVs in 2023 alone. In further efforts to reduce emissions, nature-based solutions, such as the protection and restoration of forests and mangroves, have seen significant strides, as shown by the National Forest Foundation's planting of over 5 million trees across 13,942 acres in 2023. These global initiatives collectively aim to lower per capita carbon emissions and reduce global temperatures.
🧑⚕️ Africa Sees 14+ Year Increase in Life Expectancy from 1990 to 2019
While all regions saw improvements in life expectancy over the last few decades, the magnitude of change differs. From 1990 to 2019, Africa experienced an over 14-year increase in life expectancy compared to a 6.2-year increase in Europe and Western Pacific. Despite these gains, over a 10-year gap persists, with Europe still having the highest life expectancy of 78.2 years, compared to Africa’s 64.5 years.
Advancements in medical treatments, vaccines, and antibiotics have played a crucial role in reducing mortality rates globally. Longer lifespans have also been attributed to government investments in healthcare infrastructure, improved nutrition, and education. Nutritional deficiencies, socioeconomic inequalities, access to healthcare, and the state of healthcare infrastructure itself vary across regions, hindering progress in some areas. To bridge this gap and further improve population health globally, continued efforts are required.
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