Analyzing Factors Influencing Carbon Dioxide Emissions: A State-by-State Examination of Population, Income, and Transportation Impact

This narrative visualization aims to demonstrate the relationship between Carbon Dioxide emissions and key socioeconomic factors across different states in the US.

By examining the correlations between CO2 emissions and state population, median family income, and the number of registered automobiles, we seek to uncover the underlying dynamics that contribute to state-level variations in emissions. The goal is to provide insights that can inform policy decisions and promote more sustainable practices.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions vs. State Population

The scatterplot of Carbon Dioxide Emissions versus State Population reveals a clear relationship between the size of a state's population and its CO2 emissions. Generally, states with larger populations tend to have higher emissions, reflecting the greater demand for energy and transportation. This trend underscores the importance of population density as a key factor in environmental impact and highlights the need for targeted environmental policies.

• As the most populous state, California's high CO2 emissions underscore the significant impact that large populations have on environmental sustainability.
• Illinois, with its medium-sized population, illustrates how mid-range populations still contribute substantially to overall emissions, warranting focused mitigation efforts.
• Oregon's lower emissions relative to its smaller population demonstrate how less densely populated states can maintain lower carbon footprints, emphasizing the scalability of emissions based on population size.

Mouseover the data points to view the Carbon Dioxide Emissions and the State Population values.