The West, at the moment, is the only area that can afford to develop large scale clean energy sources that actually work. If we do so, and start using them, then not only do we cut our emmisions, we then have proven technology to sell to the developing world.

Lets take China as an example. The projected health care bills due to the air pollution from their dirty coal powered industry make the US national debt look sensible. How many million will have to die there before the pressure to switch to cleaner power becomes irresisitable? I don't know, but it will happen, and sooner than many people think.

Even if they rip off every patent on the clean technology, then the West still benefits, by having New York and London above sea level. So does Bangladesh...