[morsch]

It is also making poor countries less poor, which in turn makes their people better off and, yes, make them contribute less to pollution (it also slows population growth).

How is that? People who are less poor – almost per definition – consume more and hence tend to use up more resources/cause more pollution per capita.

[klum]

Some of the reasons put forth by Pinker:

* a poor country prioritizes growth while a richer one can afford to consider the environment

* a richer country has access to more efficient technology

* on the level of individuals, moral (or future) concerns are not in the forefront of your mind until you have your immediate needs for shelter, food etc. covered.

[BLKNSLVR]

> * a poor country prioritizes growth while a richer one can afford to consider the environment

Can afford to. May even consider it. But don't act.

> * a richer country has access to more efficient technology

But will not encourage that efficiency unless there's some kind of profit to be made from switching away from the less efficient incumbent.

> * on the level of individuals, moral (or future) concerns are not in the forefront of your mind until you have your immediate needs for shelter, food etc. covered.

PS5, Samsung S999, Lexus, Jetski, Outdoor entertaining re-model.