Final answer:
The per capita CO2 emission in the U.S. is approximately C. 20,000 kg per year, calculated based on average energy consumption rates and carbon intensity of different energy sources like oil, gas, and coal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. emission of CO2 per person has been estimated using various sources and calculations. Americans, on average, have a substantial carbon footprint due to their energy consumption habits. Assessing data from different periods shows that while there has been a reduction in emissions due to anti-pollution policies, the per capita CO2 emission remains high.
According to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans used energy at an average rate of 10,000 Watts. Converting this energy use to Joules over the course of a day, and then to Megajoules (MJ), allows one to estimate the CO2 emissions using a representative emission factor. Additionally, the breakdown of energy sources (oil, gas, coal) provides specifics on the mass of CO2 Americans produce per day from each source.
Considering the provided options, the correct answer is C. 20,000 kg/yr, which is a representative figure of the CO2 emission per American per year. This figure compares the daily emissions to the mass of a typical person to provide context for the magnitude of these emissions.