EFFECTS OF FUTURE FOSSIL-FUEL USE ON CO2 LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE

A model based on fossil fuel use per capita and United Nations population predictions has been developed to predict global fossil fuel use and the resulting levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. The results suggest levels of CO2 will increase to between 415 and 421 ppm by 2025. Countries with energy-intensive economies will be responsible for the majority of CO2 emissions, while nations with large populations but low energy consumption per capita will have less of an effect. A major increase in nuclear power generation will not have a significant impact on CO2 levels over this time scale.