Frankly, I do not think that developing countries have the right to exploit what are fast becoming our limited resources. I must concede that the United States and Europe have both benefitted well from doing so, we must also consider the timeframes. For example, when the US and Europe were both developing, our technology was not as sophisticated as today’s. Using natural resources was essentially the only option. Today we have so many options that developing countries can faithfully join the initiative to save our fragile world just by making small investments in their developments.
For example, India and China seem to be following in the US footsteps as they begin to develop their countries. They are quickly approaching the US in the dubious position of world’s leader of oil consumption. It is unfortunate those countries are not founding their infrastructure in a more sustainable way.
Industrialized countries would kid themselves if they expect the same high standard of sustainable efforts by developing countries. We must understand that addressing are present climate change issue will not be an all or nothing solution. We must concede that some resources must be consumed and some pollution will inevitably be produced, especially by those countries that are slowly surfacing as economically stable. Change will need to be incremental, meaning imposing the same standard on a developing country as an industrialized country is virtually impossible; but achievable incremental steps will eventually help everyone in the long run. In other words, encouraging the use of new technologies, and making them economically feasible would be more successful in addressing the climate change issue than imposing strict standards. Such standards have the potential of paralyzing a blooming economy, or encourage abuse.
If a country that valued economic development, over global warming should definitely be required to meet some sort of standard. Although they may benefit from their blooming economy, the rest of world is slowly suffering from the residual pollutions. I believe that developing countries should expect some sort of answer to the global warming issue. Industrialize must lead by example, and develop affordable and viable sustainable options; such that the rest of the world may effectively benefit from them, and thus continue growing a strong economy.
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This is such a difficult topic to address, in part because no firm solutions have been set in place to adequately address the problem. Global warming is definitely an issue that affects the world as a whole, and therefore the cooperation of developing countries is necessary(though industrialized countries have been a large contributor to the problem). With this in mind, I also believe that industrialized nations have a responsibility to developing nations to aid them in coming up with viable solutions to the dilemma, in a way that also supports their desire to advance as a nation.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your answer,
Christiana :o)
My opinion is a little different than yours. It is difficult to balance sustainable growth and economic expansion with environmental stewardship.... but this is the balance that both developing and developed countries should work on achieving....how this is achieved in every nation might be different, depending on their existing conditions and resources, but striving for a better future is the legacy that we should leave to future generations.
ReplyDeleteWith this stated, equity is not promoted, for how the balance is achieved may be different.
Manuel,
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis of the consideration of timeframes of developed vs. developing countries. An understanding must be reached when considering present climate change issues and the inevitable damage that must occur for an impoverished country to become economically stable using their resources.