The ethics of sustainable development
increase in degradation is caused by an increased levels of output (economic growth), requiring greater input of natural resources, producing more pollution. 4 Resulting mechanisms can counteract the scale effect and result in a negative correlation between GDP/ capita and environmental degradation. Cederborg and Snöbohm describe some factors that offset the scale effect as such:
‘The technological effect… effects of international trade, increased demand for a clean environment and strengthened regulations.’ 5
The EKC is a useful model for showing how developed countries can help developing countries grow sustainably through sharing technological discoveries that can lead to environmental benefits from more efficient growth, and through increasing international trade and advising on regulations. This could reduce the scale effect in developing countries and introduce counteracting mechanisms sooner. Therefore, by taking a utilitarian view through a shallow ecological lens, where we prioritize action against climate change due to its potential negative effects on human life, developed countries, if they can help implement these counteracting mechanisms to the scale effect, should ask underdeveloped countries to prioritize green development over environmentally costly economic growth. Although short-term growth will likely have to be sacrificed due to time lags and difficulties in implementing sustainable methods, it will help significantly reduce the dire effects of climate change and therefore maximize global utility. However, some critics argue for a principle of fairness (the idea that all parties should have equal opportunities and bear equal responsibilities, considering historical contexts and current capabilities) when discussing the moral duty of developed nations to recognize the right of developing nations to economic growth without the environmental restrictions that weren’t imposed on them during their industrial periods. Thierry Ngosso stated that the fundamental right to development shouldn’t be compromised by a climate initiative and higher income nations should take more responsibility. 6 Ahead of COP27 Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari wrote: ‘Don’t tell Africans they can’t use their own resources, ’ 7 arguing that African nations should use their natural gas reserves without restriction or criticism from developed nations. While some argue that restrictions on development should be the same for every nation, the effects of climate change aren’t so fair. Developing nations currently bear the brunt of the consequences brought about by global warming. For example, the yields from farming can be heavily impacted by extreme weather. These agricultural sectors are vital in supporting development and alleviating poverty in developing countries. 8 However, in recent years climate change has caused billions of dollars of damage to these sectors: 9 76% of people who faced ‘ crisis levels ’ of food insecurity globally were affected by climate shocks and more than half lived in agriculture dependent rural communities in developing
4 Cederborg & Snöbohm 2016: 6. 5 Ibid.: 6.
6 Ngosso 2013. 7 Wilson 2022. 8 Suresh et al. 2024. 9 Ibid.: para 3.
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