Is It Possible To Balance Growth with the ‘Green’ Agenda?

Written by Dr. Matthew Wielicki on April 4, 2024. Posted in Current News

In an era where climate concerns seem to dominate the global dialogue, a pressing paradox presents itself: no nation has yet managed to lift its populace out of poverty without a significant increase in CO2 emissions

This stark reality brings to the fore a contentious debate between economic development and environmental stewardship.

Skeptics of the prevailing climate alarmism argue that human flourishing and the pursuit of prosperity should take precedence over the often overblown concerns surrounding CO2 emissions.

Here, I explore this complex issue, questioning the prevailing narrative and suggesting that the path to poverty alleviation might inherently require a reconsideration of our stance on ‘carbon’ emissions.

Historically, the trajectory of developed nations shows a clear pattern: economic growth, industrialization, and the improvement of living standards have been inextricably linked with increased ‘carbon’ emissions.

The Industrial Revolution, a turning point in the history of many now-prosperous countries, was fueled by coal and marked by a significant uptick in CO2 emissions. This period heralded unprecedented economic growth and technological advancements, laying the groundwork for the modern world.

It is unjust to deny developing countries the same path to prosperity, especially when such development is critical to lifting populations out of poverty.

In the contemporary world, the discourse around CO2 emissions and ‘climate change’ continues to intensify. Developed countries, having already reaped the benefits of industrialization, are now able to focus on decoupling economic growth from ‘carbon’ emissions.

This, however, is a luxury afforded by their wealth and the infrastructure already in place, which itself was established through processes that emitted vast amounts of CO2.

Developing nations, in contrast, face the challenge of balancing growth with environmental considerations, often without the financial and technological means to do so.

Over the past few decades, both India and China have experienced remarkable economic growth, mirrored by a substantial increase in their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This surge in economic prosperity has been accompanied by a significant rise in CO2 emissions, highlighting the (alleged – Ed) environmental cost of rapid industrialization and development.

China, having embarked on an ambitious journey of economic reform since the late 1970s, has transformed into the world’s second-largest economy and the largest emitter of CO2, a testament to its extensive use of coal and heavy investment in manufacturing and infrastructure.

India, following a similar trajectory of economic liberalization from the early 1990s, has also seen its economy expand dramatically, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.

Alongside this economic growth, India has witnessed a notable increase in CO2 emissions, propelled by its dependence on coal for energy and the expansion of its industrial and agricultural sectors.

The experiences of China and India exemplify the global challenge of balancing economic development with environmental ‘sustainability’, highlighting the intricate link between GDP growth and ‘carbon’ emissions in the modern world.

Alarmism surrounding CO2 emissions overlooks a fundamental truth: human flourishing should be the ultimate goal.

Particularly because the alleged impacts of ‘climate change’, though not to be dismissed outright, are often exaggerated, overshadowing the immediate and tangible benefits of economic development.

The alleviation of poverty, access to education, healthcare, and the overall improvement in the quality of life should trump concerns over CO2 emissions. The logic is straightforward – a wealthier society is better equipped to invest in clean technologies and adapt to environmental challenges, thereby eventually reducing its ‘carbon footprint’.

Critics of this stance, dominated by people in developed Western societies, highlight the need for ‘sustainable’ development, pointing to ‘renewable’ energy technologies as a means to achieve both economic growth and environmental protection.

The conversation around balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship is deeply complex. It’s a clear historical fact that no nation has ever elevated its population out of poverty without a corresponding rise in CO2 emissions (see India and China above).

In my opinion, the pursuit of human prosperity must not be hindered by stringent CO2 emission reduction mandates, especially if such mandates are imposed by a small population in developed countries.

Rather, the emphasis should be on a realistic strategy that places human well-being and the capacity for innovation at its core, aiming to address both socio-economic disparities and ecological concerns simultaneously.

Recognizing the complexity of this balance is crucial for formulating policies that promote the advancement of billions living in poverty, while also caring for our planet.

See more here substack.com

Header image: Christopher Furlong

Editor’s note: not mentioned here, but the ‘vast amounts of CO2’ emitted from developed nations is just four percent of the total CO2 in the atmosphere. 96 percent of it comes from natural processes.

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