The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph compares typical carbon dioxide consumption by individuals in four European nations. The period covers four decades starting in 1967.

Overall

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, the United Kingdom is the highest user of CO2. A key trend is that consumption by nationals of Portugal and Italy has risen each decade. At the same time, the

UK

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and Sweden both have decreased emissions of carbon dioxide. Turning to the data in more detail, in 1967, the

UK

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and Sweden were the largest consumers of CO2 with figures of 11 and 9 metric

tonnes

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respectively.

However

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, since 1967, CO2 levels in the

UK

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have fallen steadily, reaching 9

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by 2007. In 1977, after a rapid increase, Swedish CO2 emissions reached a peak of 10

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.

However

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, after 1977, the amount of carbon dioxide (released by Sweden)fell dramatically. The other two nations Italy and Portugal show a similar trend. In 1967, Italians used 4

tonnes

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on average,

while

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, citizens of Portugal were the lowest emitters using just 1 tonne. Over the next 40 years, both countries increased their output.

In particular

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, Italy exceeded the

UK

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in 1987 to become the second highest user in Europe.