Is America the most selfish nation on Earth?

Question

Following on from other questions I've asked it appears Socialism is hated by most Americans because it might give less fortunate Americans a chance in life.
Americans have pulled out of the Kyoto agreement, and now it is up to other nations to save the planet, yet America/American industry is the biggest polluter, are these not the actions of a selfish small minded nation?
What about grabbing the worlds oil from sovereign nations, killing there people and then telling them its good for them, would that be the action of a selfish nation?

Answer 1

yes.

Answer 2

It is not surprising that the American public is the most generous in the world, giving billions to charities. However, isn't that expected from the world's richest and most powerful nation ? Living standards are high, average salary is high, GDP is high. Of course if one receives a lot, then one is expected to give a lot too.

If every country in the world signed up to the Kyoto Protocol, then the world will see much positive changes to the environment. Even if all the developed nation signed up to the agreement, the effects would be positive too. There is no evidence of any form and of any level to say that the protocol will not work. Any evidence against the agreement is almost certainly unfounded.

To stop global warming, we must stop releasing too much carbon into the atmosphere. But this affects the developing nations in a big way, and understandably so. However, nations like China are not using their developing status as a reason to stop them from supporting climate measures.

China has spent billions in environment protection and water conservation. For example: the 2008 Olympics will see the world's most enivironmentally friendly sports arenas and facilities. They have even constructed of a 'green' city that only uses clean and renewable fuel.

Yes, China currently produces a lot of pollutants. But current actions taken and future objectives, promise things to be moving in a positive direction.

As for the US. It is unfair to criticise them for not signing up to the Kyoto protocol. The US probably see this as a policy that might lower down their superpower status. Quite understandable why any nation might not want to decrease the intensity of their status. However, for a nation to be as rich and as economically developed, that nation should enforce its own local environmental regulations and invest in better energy sources.

As for the whole oil and war issue. I have no say in this as it has already been widely commented upon. However, it would be unfair to call any nation selfish as no one has a view or an idea of the bigger picture.

(By the way I find the whole anti-American and anti-Sino sentiment among some of the answers rather sick. Although I am not surprised given the tone of the question)

Answer 3

Actually it probably isn't the most selfish, but it is one of the countries that would have the most impact if it became generous.

If America had spent the money it has blown on Afganistan and Irak on its own economy, paying companies to choose fleets of alternatively fueled vehicles, better social security, better employment conditions and better relations and cooperation with other countries, the world wouldn't be this strange uneasy place it has become.

Isn't it horrible how the bad decisions of a few wrong people in choice positions can throw away 60 years of hard work by so many to drag the world away from the last major threat to us all.

If decisions had been taken back in the cold war like they are taken now, we really wouldn't be here right now... The red buttons would have been pressed on a daly basis...


P.S. I just read Holly's answer and I'm really really really glad that the individual states are deciding to comply with the Kyoto Agreement levels. At least it is a start while the Federal government come up with their own alternative.

The point is not to bicker but to stop polluting. It makes simple sense. Do something while you find ways to do it better. Separate your garbage and recycle even if it isn't an efficient solution yet, but to continue filling landfills with usable raw materials is burying ones head in the sand. Waste less energy while we find ways to produce it without pumping garbage through nature at all levels. We'll live better for it while we get it completely right.

Answer 4

Answer is different for the US government at different levels and for the American people generally. The current US federal government... well the question covered that!

American people give a lot of money away to charity (from USA today report): "in 2005 Americans gave $260.28 billion, a rise of 6.1%, which approaches the inflation-adjusted high of $260.53 billion that was reached in 2000."

Many US states and cities have passed legislation to adhere to the Kyoto agreement, and I quote from Wikipedia:

Grassroots support in the US

As of June 20, 2006, seven Northeastern US states are involved in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI),[51] which is a state level emissions capping and trading program. It is believed that the state-level program will indirectly apply pressure on the federal government by demonstrating that reductions can be achieved without being a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol.

* Participating states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware.
* Observer states and regions: Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Eastern Canadian Provinces.
* Formerly participating states that have dropped out: Massachusetts, Rhode Island

As of October 19, 2006, 320 US cities in 46 states, representing more than 50 million Americans support Kyoto after Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle started a nationwide effort to get cities to agree to the protocol.

* Large participating cities: Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Austin, Portland, Providence, Tacoma, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Little Rock, West Palm Beach, Annapolis, Madison, Wisconsin

Answer 5

Witchyworm, you're so not right!

First: it's Japan, not China, who hunts whales ("there in Asia..."). Instead Americans' government just decided to destroy the unique Alaska habitat in order to find some oil.
Second: You're not trying to do your best to implement self imposed environmental standards.
As, third: the U.S. are still the world's largest polluter. (have a look at the links)

The U.S. do their best to implement "SELF IMPOSED" environmental standards? When U.S. are so self-sacrificing, why don't they just join Kyoto? China did.
So China does "play by any rules"! I'm totally aware of the fact that China is a monstrous dictatorship (Imagine, they still have death penalty!) but I'm very sorry to tell youthey build the first zero emission city with over 500000 inhabitants (City of Dongtang) for example. Already today 12% of all cars in China drive with ecofuel, by 2030 this number will rise to 60%. And Americans are so very proud of their Prius (from JAPAN!!! While GM still produces SUV's) they take for every little trip, instead of just walking or taking the bus.

Great job!

Answer 6

Yes and no. America has given a lot to other countries in terms of aid, and contributed a lot to the rebuilding of Europe after WW2. America has written off the millions it lent Britain during WW1.

However, its disproportionately large, negative impact on the world's environment affects everyone, and it is selfish not to change its outdated habits to make a positive difference.

Answer 7

America is the most genorous country in the world, despite our problems. People such as yourself (perfering socialism) expect people to do for them. We have a very large debt, why don't the other countries pay it off for us.

We have a very low unemployment rate. There is work here for anyone who want to work. Socialism is good in concept, but doesn't work. Socialist counties loose thier educated proffesionals to us. And it is true, we BUY oil not take it (though we could if we wanted to). We are one of the most humane countries in the world. All Americans don't hate socialism, you could probably find many who would love to have it standing on a welfare line somewhere instead of working. We do have pleanty of work for everyone, inclulde all of the illegals that flock here from Mexico and immigrate from other countries who would risk their lives to be here. Our less fourtunates own homes, are fed, and offered educational programs at no cost to them, but if they are too lazy to get off their but and work, they have too much already. If you are going to be unfortanite anywhere it might as well be America.

Have you ever been to America? Where are you from? Did you ever hear of the EPA? Do you people in other counries have anything else to talk about other than America?

Answer 8

I think the earlier you realise that all nations are selfish and invariably want to look after their own citizens before others, the better!
I am not american and disagree with many of their actions but I doubt that you can name any country which has and does not currently act selfishly.

It is all to easy to simplify these matters but what can be said is that responsibilty to the planet ultimately lies in all our hands.
Education is the way forward!

Answer 9

I hope that they do hate 'Socialism'. Look what a disaster it has been in this country. Blood suckers living off the private (wealth creating) sector. Big bloated public sector, political correctness, public sector that doesn't work and is inefficient, obsession with social engineering and attacks on the traditional family structure, demonising men, total lack of patriotism and respect for the traditions of this country. We have a developing totalitarian state that can't wait to hand us over completely to Europe. I could go on and on.

Under socialism, everyone eventually gets poorer, including the poor, whoever they are in this day and age. America, which is a classless society, is the one country where everyone has a chance. What do you think the American dream was all about? You need to stop listening to university lecturers and the biased TV media. You are propagating tired old arguments that have been disproved so many times before. Where do you think the wealth comes from for the lefties to waste on their ideologies?

Answer 10

UM what about the TRUE biggest offender?
CHINA????

They don't have to play by any rules? At least we don't hunt whales like they do in Asia! We are trying our best to implement self imposed environmental standards and have cleaned up our country SIGNIFICANTLY in the past few decades.
Unlike China--the worlds LARGEST polluter and only getting worse by the second, who have NO, NO, Policy whatsoever on environmental standards.

Answer 11

Yes and no - we want people to behave the way we think they should, and if they don't then 'woe unto them'. We want people to adjust to our way of thinking, because it is the 'right' way. But, on the other hand, we are always more than willing to give of our own personal resources whenever there is a need to be met. Individual Americans tend to be very generous - while our government tends to be very self serving...as I am sure other governments would be if they were able.