Who do you think is more responsible for global warming, the USA or Third World Countries?

Question

All the talk about global warming, green house gasses, etc. for the last 20-30 years. Do you think the worlds worse polluters are Third World countries or the USA?

Although there are many good answers here, I am disappointed that some of you who feel third world countries are not industrialized enough to be some of the worse polluters failed to mention the destruction of our rainforests.

http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/projects/fourth/rainforests/environment.html

http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/background/causes.htm

Answer 1

I believe it is the 3rd World Nations that are the greatest contributors to pollution in the world today. I understand that the US does have a large population and many of us drive and consume a lot that does contribute to pollution but I have been to several 3rd World Nations in my life and it is as if there is always a cloud of smog hanging over their more populated areas. Many do not have any type of sanitation pickup so people burn their garbage in vacent lots. Also, many of the vehicles in their countries are older and less efficient than those in most industrial countries. They simply lack the money and resources to upgrade their infrastructure to newer, cleaner technologies.

Answer 2

The third world countries are at the head of the pack,but Most of the green house gases are not the problem. CO2 is already taken care of by the plants and photosynthesis. U cannot find where it went to.
Then there is Met hand which may be worse than CO2 ,where is it???? Methane is a light gas and will rise very high in our atmosphere ,how u going to measure it to say it is a problem. If it were there would be a large amount high in our atmosphere. If u check it is not there . We have launched many mussels into the high atmosphere and there was no explosion. Go find your data ,it is lost.

Answer 3

USA for sure; usa uses more energy than any other nation, and the only reason why third world countries do have large pollution issues is because companies here in the US decide to build factories in other third world countries to save money, so USA is responsible for both

Answer 4

It is undisputed fact that right now the US emits more greenhouse gas. Because the US uses more energy in cars, trucks, homes, and factories.

But in the future the rapidly developing third world presents even more of a threat. For example, China is racing to be worse, and will win that race soon.

To the people who say global warming isn't happening or it's not us, forget it. There is a vast amount of hard data, most recently in the IPCC report, that says otherwise. And yes, the IPCC considered natural cycles, solar variation, volcanoes, etc. It's why these people believe.

"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."

James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.

"Our nation has both an obligation and self-interest in facing head-on the serious environmental, economic and national security threat posed by global warming."

John McCain, Republican, Senator, Arizona

"These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment - and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change."

President George Bush

The scientific debate is settled. Get over it.

Answer 5

You might mean 2nd world countries because 3rd world really doesnt have very much industry.

Very likely the USA is about the worst since the US. uses 25% of the worlds resources. Even the countries that are polluting are probably manufacturing crap for American consumers.

Really the worst contributors are Coal burning countries, China burns lots - as do others - I see this question could use a bit of research to be answered accurately...good one!

Answer 6

The USA is this worlds worst polluter. Although 3rd world countries don't have pollution controls they aren't industrialized nearly to the extent that the US is so the US is naturally going to produce more pollution

Answer 7

The combined pollution from all third world countries may exceed that of the USA but as the USA produces 25% of the worlds pollution it far exceeds that of any other country.

Answer 8

Its foolish to engage in finger-pointing at this stage. Each individual on planet Earth has a responsibility to be more responsible with the usage of the planet's resources.

But if you really want to get into the blame game, I think that the USA is far more responsible (despite 'the math') because Americans know better and refuse to act.

Like it or not, the USA is in a leadership position and the precedents that Americans set are just as dangerous as the actual consumption of the world's resources (which is considerable)

If the Chinese learn to pollute like Americans (and God knows they are trying) then we're all in trouble. Us Canadians talk a good 'green' talk but we're just as bad, if not worse, if we look at per capita waste (thankfully there's not that many of us).

However, as I said above, I really think that pointing fingers at this point is not helpful to the solution. Each and every one of us has to look at our own lives and look at ways that we can reduce our impact on the one Earth that we all share.

Answer 9

Who's responsible? Who cares? Nobody is ever held responsible for their actions anymore. Global warming is real. Greenhouse gasses are real. But did you know that the biggest greenhouse gas of all is water vapor? Can't outlaw or regulate that now, can we. And what about methane? It's a greenhouse gas. One of the biggest sources of methane is, brace yourself, cattle flatulence. That's right, cow farts. For thousands of years, our planet has warmed and cooled in cycles. (Did you hear about this thing called the ice age?) We're experiencing a warming trend right now. Could we be influencing it? Possibly. Would it happen anyway? Probably.

Worry about the things you can make a personal impact on. The rest is out of your control, and therefore, not your responsibility.

Today's high temp in Troy, Michigan, where I live, will be 14 degrees. Global warming my behind.

Hope it's warmer where you are.

Answer 10

Third world countries don't have much of an industry so how are they supposed to create pollution?
Also the USA isn't exactly known for their pollution control.