[capisce]

> The world now knows better about these harmful environmental practices, and has access to better tech to avoid this

Except the better tech tends to be more expensive and less labor intensive. A country with a huge cheap labor force would handicap itself by not using the most cost effective means to grow their economy, negative externalities notwithstanding.

[saiya-jin]

which doesn't make it right in any way - caring only about "me", "now", and not "us" and "tomorrow"

Or in other words - it explains it, but doesn't justify it. We as mankind can do better

[M_Grey]

The problem is that people don't really exist as a "We, mankind"... we exist as various competing nations and other divided groups. It's laughable to think that what's good for "We, mankind" in the US is somehow good for "We, mankind" in North Africa, or China, or India.