Friday, December 2, 2011

West should pay for climate change


“The cost of adapting a integrated farming system in a village in Nepal could be US$20,000 per year, that of a rain-fed maize system in a district of Malawi’s US$55 million, and protecting the entire livestock sector of Tanzania could cost up to US$280 million — with all costs likely to treble by 2030."

Developing countries have to pay the price for western pollution but convincing people in the west that we have to pay for this is difficult. The Daily Mail for example, seems to feel that it is both a waste of taxpayer money and a way to manipulate African governments. I think that it is a good use of taxpayer money to pay developing country governments to be greener. The economic costs of climate change are high and it makes sense for wealthier countries to foot the bill. You can make your own personal contribution so that the Ecuadorian government does not rip up the rain forest to pump oil HERE.  As for manipulating African governments. Well, maybe. In the same way as I am manipulating potential smokers by taxing cigarettes. Or manipulating manufacturers by choosing what I buy. I think I can live with that.


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