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Essentially all this is is a tax on quality of life. Quality of life will decrease for rich nations for nothing as all the environmental gains will be offset by emerging economies.

China will continue to build more and its population will also continue to consume more.

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Those living in the rich nations can hardly blame the people in emerging economies for trying to achieve a similar standard of living (well, not without being huge hypocrites). And yes, large countries like China will have a large impact. But that is going to happen regardless of whether the rich nations make a change or not. So why wouldn't we try to reduce our own impact? What alternative do you suggest? Do nothing and make the problem even worse?

Dont try to force altruism on me.I'd rather retain my standards of living.

>Dont try to force altruism on me.

Don't try to force your pollution on me...

In the end preserving the environment helps everyone. We all have to live here on this earth, as will our descendants (for the foreseeable future at least). Perhaps you don't have many years left, and have no children? Otherwise your attitude seems rather shortsighted.

It's a good thing most rich countries are democracies where the majority actually can force altruism on others, no matter how selfish they are.

You're right, we should do nothing.

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