America - 4% of the worlds population but create 25% of the pollution?

Question

Is this fair? Why dont they stick to things they agree to (eg Kyoto). Dont they realise that they are not only f.u.ki.n the planet for us but for their kids too? Their companys are playin on an uneven playing field if they aint gotta stick to the rules about pollution that we do.

Not surprised at the mostly ignorant yanks who claim that we need them, or that they arent doing anything wrong etc. ｒNor ami surprised at the denial of even signing the kyoto treaty. Am, however surpirised at the few who realise there is a problem and who dont believe their own country`s propaganda (look it up). Well done to those few who appear to have more than the standard 2 brain cells -　please ffs make it a priority to educate the imbeciles amongst u before its too late.

Answer 1

Careful...Americans don't like to hear things like that

Answer 2

Would you prefer that the U.S. be a good global citizen like Canada, which signed Kyoto? Canada's emissions of CO2 have actually INCREASED since they signed. (America's emissions during the same period have decreased)

As we say in America, some contracts aren't worth the paper they're signed on.

Countries like China love Kyoto because they don't have to adhere to the same standards as "developed" nations. Talk about an uneven playing field. China is just pouring tons of untreated pollutants into the water and the atmosphere. It's like the U.S. in the 1800's.

Did you know that even Japan intially rejected Kyoto? Yes, Kyoto rejected Kyoto.

The figure you cite is completely erroneous (I think you English would say it is "bullhoggery", or some other delightfully antiquated term). I believe the statistic you meant to cite is that the U.S. consumes 25% of the natural resources of the planet. What that figure doesn't take into consideration are all the products created from using those resources. It's not like the U.S. is just wasting energy. It is creating manufactured goods.

Answer 3

The United States is not a signer on the Kyoto Accord and I am sure it is because we have a very consumptive nature. I am as much to blame as anyone as I drive a 3/4 ton pick up that gets 12mpg and don't recycle. I do not know the solution to the problem but you are correct that we consume, pollute, and waste a greater portion than our population's share. I think that as the price of gas goes up it will help the issue but probably not bring us in line with Europe.

Answer 4

I am not excusing the developing countries for their pollution, but Americans do create alot of pollutions for only being a small portion of the world population. The problem is greed and wastefulness. We have the resources to create these cleaner fuels and better transit and public transportation, but we don't use them and part of the reason is the internal politics. We claim that crime will rise if we improve our public transit system. The truth is that may people are afraid of change and what some people call "undesirables" getting to places. The fuel situation is a matter of money and politics. Bush's energy policy has left no funding for alternative fuel research and we are paying for it dearly. Whatever problems anyone has we need to get over them and try to clean up our act.

Answer 5

It is actually close to 28% pollution, and it is certainly NOT fair.

And why are they doing it? Very simple. Because they are so arrogant, self-centred and ignorant that they neither see the problem, nor do they care. As long as they have dollars, they try to buy everything that can be bought, regardless of consequences and regardless if it makes sense or not.

The USA are the evil empire of our days, and they suck in everyone and everything they want to have. In the past other empires - the Egyptian, Persian, Roman, Russian and British, to name only the largest and most ruthless - behaved exactly in the same ways and fashion. The only difference is that in those days there was no problem with pollution and environmental damage.

If no one stops the USA from carrying on regardless, they will go down even faster as they will anyway, and in the process take us and the planet with them.

Answer 6

I agree, there is something wrong here, but, on the other hand, give China another 2 years and they'll catch up. You also have to remember the size of our country, it's a lot bigger with a lot more space. I live 15 miles from the nearest town [Wisconsin] so I try to limit my trips to town, there is no mass transit, And I'm afraid a bike just doesn't work for the amount of groceries I need to buy, not to mention winter can be pretty bad. So about all I can do is buy a good car with good gas mileage [compact Honda] and keep it in good working condition. There are alot of people, for economic reasons live far from other family members, so there again, is a lot of travel time.

My cousin, from Frankfort, Germany came for a visit and thought he could drive to California and back for the weekend, he had no concept of just how large our country is, compared to Europe.

Answer 7

rockandroll5 : FU!!!!China and India are the two biggest polluters of the world.

jardin : I have heard that India and China are major contributors to the problem of pollution and they are not part of the Kyoto agreement.


Try and consider for whom those countries are producing goods for when they create this pollution.

The United States exists, contemporarily, as a sort of monarchial state ... our country seems to feel it owns the world and can take what it desires. The condition won't last for much longer, as our country begins to feel the destructive cost of relying on cheap oil to maintain its economic status.

Personally, I find it disgusting how incredibly ignorant the U.S. seems to be with regards to the world and the environment. But there are many, myself included, who do care a great deal.

Answer 8

As of this minute, I'm advising the Philippines to turn off Mt Pinotubo. That durn volcano is spewing too much junk in the air. And I also emailed Hosni Mubarak in Egypt to shut down the wind turbines...they're producing too many sand storms. Are you with me so far??? A lot of the pollution we are being blamed for are from natural occurances. You can't stop nature.

You can't tell me the fires in CA aren't producing its fair share of pollution and the same goes for ANY wildfire, anywhere in the world.

Answer 9

There's the problem for you, out of all the answers... 1 person agreed that it's an issue.

As long as they have the 4x4 and the world ends at their borders...


As for the people saying 'you love us when we send you money'... who do you think is reading this? This isn't the homepage for famine-stricken refugees, and if it were... you shouldn't use money as an argument. You're talking to people in other western countries who don't use or need American Dollars.

Besides, the giving of money to poorer countries is not something benevolent and to be thankful for, it's a humanitarian duty.

Answer 10

Bush didnt agree to the Kyoto treaty because China did not agree to it. Actually many countries that are entering the industrial/manufacturing industries are now polluting far more that the US.

Answer 11

The United States spends more money cleaning up and preventing pollution, than any other country. I do not believe that the United States creates 25% of the world's pollution. If you can cite a reference please do so, and I will respond to that.