The United States and other developed countries produce a majority of the greenhouse gas emissions and consume a disproportionate share of envi- ronmentally sensitive products such as ocean fish; their consumption of energy, wood products, and raw materials is even more strikingly dispro- portionate.53 A substantial part of developed-country consumption is waste- ful. It seems clear that the world as a whole cannot consume at current U.S. or other developed-country levels; responsible consumption on the part of the developed countries is not just setting a good example but an ecological necessity. This does not mean that economies cannot continue to grow indefi- nitely—clearly they can, as more consumption becomes knowledge-based and more modest in its use of raw materials. It is rather that the patterns of con- sumption must change. As we have seen, price signals alone will not guide resource use when substantial externalities and public goods are involved.
Emission Controls Beyond responsible consumption, perhaps the greatest contribution that the developed world can make to the global environment will be through a clear demonstration of their own commitment to a cleaner environment. Because they remain the main polluters of air and sea, devel- oped countries must lead the way to global changes in current and future patterns of production. If wealthy nations do not achieve significant and sus- tained reductions in the production of greenhouse gases, it will be difficult to convince the developing world to do so, considering that per capita emissions levels are far below those in the industrialized countries.
The United States and other developed countries produce a majority of the greenhouse gas emissions and consume a disproportionate share of envi- ronmentally sensitive products such as ocean fish; their consumption of energy, wood products, and raw materials is even more strikingly dispro- portionate.53 A substantial part of developed-country consumption is waste- ful. It seems clear that the world as a whole cannot consume at current U.S. or other developed-country levels; responsible consumption on the part of the developed countries is not just setting a good example but an ecological necessity. This does not mean that economies cannot continue to grow indefi- nitely—clearly they can, as more consumption becomes knowledge-based and more modest in its use of raw materials. It is rather that the patterns of con- sumption must change. As we have seen, price signals alone will not guide resource use when substantial externalities and public goods are involved.Emission Controls Beyond responsible consumption, perhaps the greatest contribution that the developed world can make to the global environment will be through a clear demonstration of their own commitment to a cleaner environment. Because they remain the main polluters of air and sea, devel- oped countries must lead the way to global changes in current and future patterns of production. If wealthy nations do not achieve significant and sus- tained reductions in the production of greenhouse gases, it will be difficult to convince the developing world to do so, considering that per capita emissions levels are far below those in the industrialized countries.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
