It’s an age-old paradigm that poor countries remain poor because of their poor access to technology. Much more so in this day and age when climate change is the great leveler of nations: meaning environmental disasters do not know economies of scale. But it is logical fact to consider that poor nations have lesser chances of adapting to global warming. They have fewer opportunities to employ more environmentally sound technologies. This paradigm is shot.

There is no proof, either, that rich countries have significantly reduced their greenhouse gas emissions, on the other hand. China, purportedly an emerging economy and undeniably a comparatively richer country is still a coal-dependent economy. The US has to face the dilemma of whether to turn their livestock feed grain into ethanol. Also, this country remains to be the top oil guzzler in the world. So, the paradigm that poor countries have less opportunity to curb carbon dioxide emissions does not cut it.

Here’s an even plainer logic: poor countries inescapably remain poor and will not be able to afford cars, appliances, etc that need an abundance of energy coming from fossil fuel combustion. Following the train of thought, it can be safe to conclude that the rich countries will remain culprits in carbon dioxide emissions. For these countries to say that poor nations have the inability to curb global warming because they do not have environment-friendly technologies is plain and simple ‘passing the bucket.’

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Via Science Daily