I=PAT

This interesting article in the NY Times yesterday talks about the relationship between a country’s wealth and it’s footprint. I certainly agree with many of the points John Tierney makes – it seems that they more people have to worry about money, health, and education, the less time and energy they have to be environmentally conscious. 

But, Tierney’s commentary that we will eventually reduce our impact on the planet does not seem like the correct reasoning to follow. If we have higher emissions standards for all countries – including the developing nations – can we just skip some of this Kuznets curve trajectory? I feel that pursuing better environmental standards will only help, not harm, our populations and our earth.

Lower emissions standards to increase economic health seems almost asinine.

Regardless, if the US is on it’s way down the Kuznets curve, then there’s your Earth Day good news…

~ by iloveOrange on April 22, 2009.