THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The Greenhouse Effect



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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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature