Promote enlightened self-interest at the climate talks

TIME for an infusion of enlightened self-interest at the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. Industrial-ized nations and developing countries talk past one another at their peril.

Each side, if indeed this is so neatly divisible, has to see it pays a steep price for letting short-term political and financial considerations get in the way of longer-term responses to global warming.

Developing countries, including two robust economies, China and India, staged a protest over the prospects of the Kyoto Protocol not being observed and richer nations not generously endowing their environmental reforms.

The short take on Kyoto is that it does not require developing countries to cut emissions, and they do not want a new pact that puts cuts and goals into writing. Wealthier nations are promoting plans to help pay for environmental improvements, but the amounts of money discussed are a fraction of what others want and think they deserve.

Enlightened self-interest understands that everyone has to benefit in order for the most important event to occur — one's own improvement and advancement.

Poor nations and countries whose economies are starting to click have to recognize they will bear the brunt of the outrageous fortunes of climate change. Floods, droughts and famine will hit them hard, and they are least able to prepare ahead, cushion the blow or recover.

In developing nations, polluting the environment in the name of economic advancement becomes a habit that is difficult to break and expensive to correct. The environmental and human toll are synonymous. The U.S. and China are good examples, but in different stages of the object lesson.

For wealthier nations, there is expensive remedial work to do at home, but also the opportunity to move developing economies toward greener living standards. Some of the help will be in direct grants for cleanup and to change behaviors and practices, but there is more to promote.

The U.S. should be looking to develop and sell the technology and hardware that is part of a new, green, clean-energy economy. Put America back in the export business.

Enlightened self-interest must drive the opportunity in Copenhagen.