The U.S. ranks 19th in internationally important wetlands

According to the World Resources Institute, there are nineteen wetlands of international importance in the United States, which makes the United States tied for nineteenth with India and Pakistan in that category. The United Kingdom ranks first with one hundred fifty-seven internationally important wetlands.

The U.S. ranks 2nd in CO2 emissions from consumption of energy

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2009 the United States emitted 5,424.53 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide from the consumption of energy, which is enough to make the United States rank second in that category. China ranks first, emitting 7706.83 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide.

Prepared by Dan Witkowski

The U.S. ranks 79th in lowest fossil fuel energy consumption

According to The World Bank, in 2007 the United states consumed 85.6% of its total fossil fuel energy, which makes the United States rank seventy-ninth in that category. Congo ranks first, consuming only 4.2% of its total fossil fuel energy.

Prepared by Dan Witkowski

The U.S. ranks 23rd in per capita biocapacity

According to the Global Footprint Network, the United States has a biocapacity of 5.02 global hectares per person, which makes the United States rank twenty-third in that category. Gabon ranks first, with a per capita biocapacity of 24.97 global hectares.

The U.S. ranks 1st in biocapacity

According to the Global Footprint Network, the United States has a biocapacity of 1496.43 million global hectares, which makes the United States rank first in that category.

The U.S. ranks 3rd in protected marine areas

According to the World Bank, 67.6% of the United States’ total marine surface area is protected by law, which makes the United States rank third in that category. Colombia ranks first, at 84.2%.

The U.S. ranks 1st in string bean production

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 2007 the United States produced 48.6% of the world’s string beans, enough to make it rank first in that category. The next closest country was France, with 16.6%.

Entry prepared by Dave Bleier.

The U.S. ranks 7th in household waste

According to the OECD, the Americans generated 450 kilograms per person of household waste in 2005, which makes the United States tied for seventh (with Australia) in that category. Denmark ranks first, at 620 kilograms per capita.

The U.S. ranks 3rd in really large protected areas

According to the World Resources Institute, there are 20 protected areas in the United States that are larger than one million hectares, which makes the United States tied for third with China in that category. Brazil ranks first, with 38 protected areas larger than one million hectares.

The U.S. ranks 36th in forest extent

According to the World Resources Institute, the current forest area in the United States is 60.2% of the original forest area, which makes the United States rank thirty-sixth in that category. Guadeloupe ranks first, with a current forest area of 135.6% of the original.