Assignment 5

1. Do you think that currently developing countries have the right to exploit forests (and other natural resources) as Europe and the US did to increase their economic well-being?
a. Why or why not?
This is an interesting question, on the surface I would say that a country has the right to do with its own resources as it pleases. Countries like the United States that are currently developed need to find a way to have sustainable natural resources. If a developing country chooses to deplete its natural resources and have a ‘tragedy of the commons’ then that developing country should not receive aid from a country that has planned for sustainability. This may seem cruel, but it shouldn’t be the responsibility of a few nations who planned better to support those who do not.
On the other hand, it could be seen as a moral obligation for developed countries to steer developing nations in the right direction, forcing them to conserve and plan for sustainability. This will slow economic development in the short term, but in the long term it will prove beneficial. The developed nations would probably have to use force (economic or otherwise) to achieve this goal, which is obviously not optimal (or even legal). The developed nations need to choose which action they will take, either one of these options would probably work; one is more humane and much more difficult to achieve.

2. What expectations do you think industrialized nations should have for developing nations in the climate change debate?

a. Should equity between industrialized and developing countries be a goal in this debate?
Equity would be difficult to achieve between developing and industrialized nations. Developing nations produce more carbon emissions per capita than developed nations do, that’s just the way it is. A middle ground must be met though, so yes.

b. What if a developing nation values economic development more than slowing down global warming? In this case, should they be required to participate in reducing emissions? Why or why not?
When producing large amount of emissions, developing nations are affecting all nations, which is not equitable. They should be required to reduce emissions. However, developed nations should help by giving monetary aid or technological aid to help reduce emissions of developing nations. A developing nation should have the right to have a stronger economy and a higher standard of living, if developed nations want fewer emissions, then they need to help the developing nation by providing technological or monetary support.

c. Conversely, what expectations should developing nations have for industrialized nations?
A developing nation should expect to have developed nations help them financially if sanctions are to be put on emissions. Fewer emissions generally equates to less money and growth for these countries. If these developing nations are expected to produce less for the good of all, then they should be compensated in some way. To be equitable, it seems to me that sanctions on development should be supplemented with some sort of aid.