[syvolt]

Very hard sell for the "Third World" when rich westerners tell them to stop trying to reach for their heights.

Almost like pulling the ladder from under us after we're at the top. Doubt it would mean anything unless it's backed by sanctions, military action or intelligence operations to topple governments that attempt to pull their countries out of poverty. That would make us decisively "the bad guys", regardless of motive.

[ArchStanton]

That may be, but is it better to be 'fair' or to save the world's ecology? The coral reefs don't much care if some places are poorer than others.

Perhaps one answer would be to allow people to swap citizenships. If you are feeling guilty enough, you could move to Lagos and someone there could move to Palo Alto.