CO2 map zooms in on emissions

US scientists have unveiled a new, high-resolution interactive map which tracks patterns of CO2 emissions coming from fossil fuels burned daily across the country.

The maps and system, called Vulcan, show CO2 emissions in more than 100 times greater detail than was previously available. Until now, scientists say, data on carbon dioxide emissions was reported monthly at a statewide level.


The new Vulcan model, however, can map CO2 emissions at local levels on an hourly basis. It can drill down to individual factories, power plants, roads, commercial districts and neighbourhoods, and identify the level of fuel type, economic sector and country/state.

Project Vulcan, which is funded by Nasa and the US Department of Energy and run out of Purdue University, Indiana, has launched a YouTube video which shows the emission patterns over one day as industry and traffic wakes up for the day, and reveals regional patterns of CO2 distribution.

Guardian