by Jennifer Dahl

Created on: March 04, 2008

"A rising tide lifts all boats," according to John F. Kennedy, in a speech that is now decades old. It is a simple and elegant concept. And going green is a perfect example. Is it not obvious that the greener every nation is, the better off the planet will be over all?

Many people in America do not realize that most of the smog over the west coast of the United States has been determined to be a direct result of pollution generated in China. It is just sort of accepted that it must be from the cars on the highways, and manufacturing. (It begs the question, where does America's pollution end up?)

Knowing what we know now about the effects of pollution and greenhouse gases, it is not even a question of 'fair,' at this point, to ask that developing nations use renewable energy sources, and cut down on waste and pollution. It is a question of what our future will look like. By our, I mean it belongs to everyone- every country, every government, every citizen, every child born and unborn.

Governments of developing nations do not have to continue standing on the shoulders of past giants, using old technology simply because it is easier and cheaper. They can invest in greener ways to produce goods and less polluting methods of creating energy. They will save money over the long run. And really, they owe it to the citizenry to do so.

More often than not, developing nations are receiving funds from other countries to assist in running their governments, and to aid in their development efforts. The countries providing assistance have an obligation to insist that green technologies be a part of the aid package, in order for those governments to be an example to the countries following behind them, and to their citizenry.

Governments have to show that they care about the future, not just the present and the bottom line of today, in order to get the citizens "in the boat." If citizens see leaders paving the way toward a healthy future for our planet, the citizens will be more conscious about their own habits. Then there truly will be a tide swelling to lift everyone, all together, toward a better tomorrow.

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