Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels: a procedure for estimation and results for 1950-1982

Abstract

In attempting to identify the possible causes and consequences of the observed increasing atmospheric CO/sub 2/ concentration, the source of the CO/sub 2/ is a major concern. Through the past several decades, the combustion of fossil fuels has grown immensely and it is clearly an important source of CO/sub 2/. This study provides detailed documentation for a procedure to estimate CO/sub 2/ emissions from fossil fuels, and makes independent and updated estimates of the rate at which fossil fuel combustion has released carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This work is intended to provide independent and updated estimates of CO/sub 2/ emissions and undue significance should not be attached to minor differences from previously published values.