Open Source Software Economic Development

Is the economic development of developing countries more important than protecting the environment?

Is the economic development of developing countries more important than protecting the environment? and why?

Public Comments

1. no protecting the the envirament is important than economic condition
2. I believe they have to work hand in hand. Don't make the same mistake the US made by polluting everything.
3. If you measure important in term of human suffering YES. There are a billion people who live hungry and only economic development in poor counties will provide any hope of ending these conditions.
4. Its a very good question and it raises the issue of how developed nations have already developed AFTER they have already polluted the world and continue to do so. So, now, on what moral grounds can they stop developing nations to at least achieving some decent kind of economic growth before they really become very environmental conscious. However, I guess the trade off would be between the amount of pollution taking place and the kind of economic growth and development we are talking about. The ideal situation would be to have little or no development at the cost of the environment. But that is not going to happen. Countries will look out for their own self interest. So, we have to approach this pragmatically and realistically and see exactly what we can achieve in order to convince developing nations not to pollute so much and at the same time to achieve a good economic growth level.
5. Economic development is more important. B/c starving person suffers a lot more than one who has to pay extra $20/mo for increased AC use.
6. Only when the developing countries are developed can the people are capable and have the means to protect the environment. Otherwise they have to depend on the land,the forest and their agriculture to survive
7. Your question should actually be two questions addressed to two sets of listeners. The first question should have 'developed' in place of 'developing'. The second question is the same as what you have written down (addressed to 'developing countries'). Unless you have put the first question first, you have no right to ask the second question. This may be taken as my personal opinion, but in international fora discussing this issue, this was the approach by concensus of the majority of 'sovereign' member countries. Generally speaking, both 'eco-s' (economy & ecology springing from the same root word of Greek) should go hand in hand. We all have but this one world and have nowhere else to go and survive. It implies that all should bear the responsibility equally. Some are not more equal than the others. What is happening is, everyone is pointing fingers at others. But that person shouldn't forget that when he points a finger at the other, three fingers (leaving the thumb), point back to him.
8. Im gonna have to say yes because I believe a nation must have a sound economy to incorporate environmental friendly policies
9. It really depends on who you ask. People living in the developing countries will generally answer that development is more important because they do not have the wealth and conveniences which we take for granted. Environmentalists will answer the environment because they HAVE always had the wealth and convenience, and are able to take it for granted. Perspective is key.