The strain this is putting on the earth's resources is showing. Instead of using the best available technology, low-income nations are seeking to advance using the same dirty technology that industrialized countries have used. They are opting for coal-fired power plants, gas guzzling cars, and inefficient factories. Much of this technology was sold to low-income nations by the U.S. and other industrialized nations, so rich nations bear part of the blame. But Exxon and other U.S. companies complain about low-income nations' pollution while they continue to hawk dirty, inefficient technology in the developing world.
Trees absorb greenhouse gases, and act as a buffer from further global warming.
Over the last century, the world has lost close to half its original forest area. Unfortunately, electricity usually comes from dirty, coal-fired plants. The burning of fossil fuels in automobiles is one of the chief causes of global warming. Low-income nations are increasing their use of autos, and are relying on the same inefficient technology that industrialized countries use, but have no air pollution control regulations required. While these basic human activities are necessary for everyone, the burning of fossil fuels is a significant source of greenhouse gases.