DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Despite their large populations, the poor nations contribute remarkably
little to the greenhouse effect. An average North American adds
more than 5 tonnes of carbon to the air each year, a European
or Japanese between 2 and 3 tonnes, a Chinese 0.6 tonnes, and
an Indian 0.2 tonnes. More than 90 per cent of the man made CO2
currently in the atmosphere emanated from Europe and North America.
The industrialized countries have already exceeded Earth's capacity
to absorb CO2. This, combined with the urgent need to combat global
warming, seriously compromises developing Countries' ability
to advance economically. The situation is clearly unfair. If countries
are to follow the principle endorsed at the Earth Summit that
"the polluter should pay", then rich environmental "debtor"
nations must find a way to compensate their poorer "creditors".
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The convention requires rich nations to help developing countries
through cash donations, technology transfers, and assistance
with national plans take a more climate friendly path to economic
development. And to help them adapt to climate change for instance,
where crops fail or rising sea levels threaten islands and coastlines.
But so far, firm promises have been pitiful. Asked at the Earth
Summit for tens of billions of dollars annually, the official
funding body, the Global Environment Facility at the World Bank
in Washington DC, has been given less than $1 billion to spend
between 1994 and 1997 on greenhouse related projects.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Cut car use. If possible, live close to work or school. Shop locally.
Use public transport and bikes.
Insulate your home. If you live in a cold climate, turn the heating
down and put on extra clothing. Buy appliances such as energy efficient
fridges and light bulbs.
Support politically unpopular, but environmentally important,
policies such as energy and carbon taxes. But demand that vulnerable
people particularly the poor are protected, and that the proceeds
fund investment in preventing warming.
Lobby local authorities and national governments to improve public
transport services and promote energy conservation. Urge governments
to publish national plans for reducing emissions.
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