An Inconvenient Truth

[kandrathe]

I think modern industrialized nations need to set an example. Sort of the idea of "Learn from our mistakes". Although, the industrial rape of this planet is mostly complete.

The problem is that without enforced global standards, wealthy corporations will move their dirty industries to the nations with the lowest taxes and least environmental protections. These poor nations will welcome the investment in jobs and base infrastructure at the sacrifice of their ecosystems, natural resources, and populations health. Like most industrialization, the money will be funneled to a fortunate few enterprising capitalists who will become their nations "robber barrons". I'm not complaining about the capitalist part, as long as they are willing to live in the cesspool they create.

I think there is a right way and a wrong way for nations to develop, and left to the easiest most lucrative path would be the wrong way. The right way would build sustainable neccesary infrastructure that does not cut corners and takes advantage of affordable pollution controls like scrubbers on smokestacks, and does not allow heavy metal industries to dump waste into water ways, etc.

But then again, I'm an optimist.