Wildfires in California emitting more CO2 annually than cars

Since California has lost nearly 1.67 million acres to wildfires through August 31 this year and based on the assumptions above, about 131.2 million tons of carbon dioxide have been emitted to the environment in eight months due to wildfires. California had 15.1 million vehicles registered in 2018. Assume all are fuel burning for this exercise. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fossil fueled cars emit 4.6 metric tons per year (22 mpg and 11,500 miles driven per year basis). That means California cars emit 76.4 million tons (not metric) of carbon dioxide annually.

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