Latest comments posted about Development in a finite world on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1796-Development-in-a-finite-world http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1796-Development-in-a-finite-world The author has raised some good points. In essence, the author’s idea borders on the so-called Contraction and Convergence principle, that is, every one is entitled to equal rights of development and carbon emissions. Putting aside the political hurdles, as well as technical difficulties that this radical scheme would encounter, it has a big flaw. When it comes to ways of living, it is not true that the poorer people are, the less impact their lifestyles have on climate change. Sometimes the opposite is the case. For instance, people in the countryside habitually cut down trees to obtain firewood for cooking, while people living in underdeveloped cities burn coal for cooking, yet people residing in developed cities use natural gas and electricity for cooking. As a result of this scheme, simply because the poor with low income can be exempt from carbon emission responsibility, they will gradually lack the drive to switch to cleaner energy such as marsh gas. On the other hand, people using efficient, low-pollution energy are required to significantly cut down on their carbon emissions. This is obviously unfair. I agree with the opinion that rich people, including those living in poor countries, should take on greater share of responsibility for climate change mitigation. They are more capable in this area. However, we should adopt more feasible course of action in practice, so as to avoid wasting our time in pointless political squabbles over this matter. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:47:25 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7144 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7144 The rich are at the bottom of the supply chain: they consume more energy and cause more emissions, as such they should do more to reduce emissions. Loyi Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:01:00 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7139 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7139 The rich should take more responsibility of reducing emission. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:47:23 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7138 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1796#comment-7138