Week 5 response papers - Essay Example

Response to Post While the is en d to his/her views regarding the responsibilities of the developed and developing countries inrespect of climate change, I am opposed to his view that the developing countries do not have a valid point. In reality, the developed nations produce most of the emissions that today affect the environment (Diamond, 1997). My argument is based on the fact that 50 years ago, many developing countries had few industries that produced massive emissions. At this time, many developed countries probably had industries producing huge volumes of emission.

Taking this into account, it would not be logical to ask the developing countries to bear an equal burden in solving a problem that has hugely been caused by their developed counterparts. By making their positions clear, the developing countries are in no way trying to manufacture their way to development status. Regarding voluntary governance, I strongly agree with the student. Citizens across the world are learning how important the environmental conservation and sustainability is and will definitely opt for products that are produced by self governing organization (Soederbaum, 2008).

However, this move may be hampered if cost is a major issue as poor people will prefer to buy cheaper products even if their producers did not care about the environment. Considering the above fact, compulsory governance of the environment is appropriate as its effects equally far reaching considering that organizations will prefer to do the right thing than to face the law and have heft fines imposed upon them for non-compliance. ReferencesDiamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies.

New York: W.W. Norton & Co.Soederbaum, P. (2008). Understanding Sustainability Economics. London: Earthscan Response to Student 2 PostWhile my view regarding the application of similar emission standards to developing and developed counties does not tally with the student, it is held that both types of countries contribute harmful emissions in the environment. The student has effectively introduced the notion that various alternatives can be applied in resolving the dilemma. Jia’s (2009) suggestion that the deployment of clean technology be used as a measure seems realistic and is worth consideration in my view considering that developing countries will be more motivated to embrace new technologies as opposed to paying when forced to incur high costs associated with the popular suggestion of introducing caps.

It is common knowledge that acts done voluntarily often draw a lot of attention and reaction. Voluntary sustainability actions, in agreement with the student, can have far reaching effects as stakeholders such as consumers are given the opportunity to direct the company’s activitiesn as noted by Brower and Leon (1999). As people invest in company’s that care about sustainability, the others that have no business with sustainability will be overtaken as investors shun them in favor of the latter.

It is true that the multitude of laws in current existence to some extent impacts negatively on the economic performance of the country. Yet again, it is beyond doubt that some companies will always adopt measures to escape regulatory requirements. However, the importance of regulation in bringing order cannot be underestimated. When an organization that goes against policy is heftily fined, others get discouraged and opt to tow the line with time. Essentially, voluntary and compulsory regulation should be used together if greatest change and sustainability has to be witnessed.

ReferencesBrower, M. & Leon, W. (1999). The Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. New York: Three Rivers Press.Jia, A.  (2009). Clean Technology May Trump Tough Emissions Controls.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/17/17climatewire-clean-technology-may-trump-tough-emissions-c-19467.html