Environmental Kuznets Curve

As Hardin quoted in The Tragedy of the Commons, “the morality of an act is a function of the state of the system at the time it is performed”. When Europe and the United States were developing they exploited a great number of natural resources to improve their situation. At the time populations were less, the air and water was cleaner and we knew less about the science and danger behind climate change. The state of the system was such that this exploitation of resources was not inherently immoral. Fast forward to 2009, the earth is overflowing with people, much of our water systems are polluted, we have destroyed numerous rainforests and much of our air is sullied from pollution. We have also learned more about our effect on the ecosystem and have developed a great deal of knowledge and technology to combat our enormous waste stream. There are ways for developing countries to advance their wealth without further ruining the environment.

There is an important role for industrialized nations as previously poor countries begin to develop. Industrialized nations have an obligation to set an example, and mentor these countries. Wealthier nations have no right to expect developing nations to clean up their act if they, with the economic resources, cannot lead the way. Industrialized nations can also impart their knowledge and help to educate developing nations to grow sustainably.

Equity should always be a part of this debate. Currently industrialized nations use a disproportionate amount of the earth’s resources. But this does not mean that developing nations should be given approval to pollute as much as industrialized nations. Instead industrialized nations should set the example to reduce pollution. It should not be acceptable for a nation to value economic development more than the environment. Climate change has reached such a critical mass that we can’t afford to acquiesce to unchecked degradation. That being said industrialized nations cannot reasonably require developing nations to reduce emissions. They can suggest, coerce, or request but not require. Conversely developing nations can expect industrialized nations to lead the way, both by example and by imparting on them the knowledge they have amassed.