Who really caused climate change? The map that points to the West

A new map shows which countries are most responsible for historical carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The data covers emissions from 1742 to the present day. The map focuses on Oceania, the region that includes Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. It compares each country's share of total global emissions over nearly three centuries. The findings highlight a sharp divide. A small number of industrialized nations produced most of the CO2, while many others contributed very little. This matters because CO2 stays in the atmosphere for centuries. The emissions released long ago still affect the climate today. As a result, the question of who is responsible for historical emissions remains central to international climate talks.