The Big Boys Did It And Ran Away

There can’t be many people who would now challenge the overwhelming scientific consensus that carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for climate change. It is obvious that unless we do something within the next decade the ecosystem is likely to be irrevocably damaged. However, there appears to be a sinister blame culture prevalent amongst the wealthier nations, who somehow feel it reasonable to criticise the developing nations’ contribution to environmental pollution.  Wind the clock back a couple of hundred years to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and there was no gatekeeper prohibiting us from polluting. We had an unhindered opportunity to plan and execute rapid economic growth, leaving us in the enviable position of being able to realise considerable social and economic benefits. Furthermore, the history books show we weren’t exactly quick to clean up our own act either. In 2004, emissions from developing economies made up 73 per cent of the global growth in emissions. However, why shouldn’t developing economies be provided with their moment in the sun?  It is just too simplistic and too arrogant to blame developing nations. They are only doing what we did a few hundred years ago. They are trying to make better lives for their sons and daughters; they are trying to pull themselves out of poverty. They are only increasing their output because of demand. Most of this demand comes from the developed world due to the insatiable appetite for cheap goods and services. In other words, this is partly our own fault. But what can be done? Firstly our tax system should discourage businesses based in the developed world from farming out labour intensive processes to developing countries. This will slow down their growth for sure but perhaps it may encourage them to base future growth on a more skilled and knowledge based economy. Secondly, consumers should get savvy. Large corporations are sensitive to criticism and direct action based on their environmental record. It is easy to let them get away with trite statements about recycling and reducing packaging. Consumers should start demanding information about where manufacturing is outsourced and pointing out the direct link between such outsourcing and increased emissions. Only then will we start to realise we can’t blame others for polluting the planet. Finally, the stark truth is that we may just have to pay more for our goods and services, use less stuff or accept a less impressive economic performance!