Carbon Emissions – Red States and Blue States (Infographic)

Red states produce and consume more carbon than blue states. This holds true for both Republican state economies and the lifestyle choices of citizens in red states. GOP-controlled states produce and burn more fossil fuels than their blue counterparts. The 26 mostly red states that generate the highest levels of carbon pollution (including per capita emissions) are concentrated in the Deep South, Appalachia, and the Great Plains. Texas is the nation’s largest domestic oil producer and they also have the largest carbon footprint. Texas has almost twice the level of emissions compared to second-place California even though the latter has ten million more people. In terms of energy efficiency red states are the worst while blue states tend to be the best. This is because the leadership of red states does not prioritize carbon reduction efforts. CO2 Scorecard attributes this to Republican leaders who are responsive to industry pressure.

Republicans have been opposing emissions reduction for years efforts even though the states they control are far more likely to be hit by climate change-induced extreme weather. Blue states are responsible for the vast majority of the nation’s GHG reduction efforts. Unlike red states, blue states support clean energy, efficiency, and the electrification of transportation. Leaders in Democrat-controlled states are pushing for national carbon reductions of at least 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

There are many other interesting differences between red states and blue states. Red states are known for televangelists, Southern-Baptists, and far-right conservative disinformation artists like Rush Limbaugh, while blue states are known for venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, as well as the high tech industry, and some of the best universities in the world. Blue states encompass abundant natural resources including 80 percent of the nation’s freshwater, the best beaches, and all living redwoods, sequoias, and condors. Blue states also provide two-thirds of the nation’s tax revenue.