Posted: 09/08/2006
Economic Growth, Not Climate Change Should Be Priority For Developing Countries
NCPA Report Suggests Economic Growth Improves the Environment
DALLAS (September 8, 2006) - Forcing developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent climate change before they fully develop their economies will lead to continued poverty and more environmental harm, according to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA). The report notes that access to cheap and dependable energy is critical to developing nation's continued progress from poverty, and that economic progress is a prerequisite for improving environmental quality.
"Policies that prevent developing countries from acquiring efficient energy resources and infrastructure limit poor nations' ability to improve the environment," said NCPA Adjunct Scholar Pete Geddes, who authored the report. "Research has shown that this holds true across time and cultures." Geddes is also the executive director of the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE).
For example:
- In one survey, levels of sulfur dioxide in 42 countries and smoke (soot) in 19 countries declined as per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rose to between $6,700 and $8,450 (2003 dollars) -- other surveys have found similar results for a broader array of air pollutants.
- A survey of 10 countries found that 11 of 14 water pollutants declined as income rose; for example, nitrates declined after per capita income reached $3,400 and total fecal coliform bacteria declined at $5,000 (2003 dollars).
- A study of deforestation in 64 developing countries found the rate at which land was cleared declined as incomes reached $7,900 to $9,100 (2001 dollars).
- A survey of 68 countries found that water withdrawals from rivers and streams for agriculture fell as incomes reached $14,300.
"Environmental quality has significantly improved in the U.S. as a direct consequence of enormous and sustained investments that only a rich nation can afford," said Geddes. "As a result of this wealth and investment, U.S. air quality has improved remarkably."