Environmental issues are very difficult for the world to reach a consensus on. I think part of that reason is that all the negative effects and the benefits of positive changes for the environment will not be seen now, but will be seen in the future. i think it is difficult for countries to deal with issues that's negative consequences lay in the future when there are so many urgent issues to be dealt with.
In order for significant and lasting environmental changes to occur, there must be a world-wide consensus. It is easy for countries to push off responsibility to others since decreasing emissions in your own country costs a lot of money, and the benefits are small. While if the rest of the world has decreased emissions, your country will reap large benefits. If that is everybody's mindset then the environment will continue to get worse at an increasing rate.
For this reason, the whole world must work together and make some short-term sacrifices in order to making lasting progress in the environment.
I think even though the world is currently facing an economic recession, it is necessary to begin making these steps now, before it becomes even more difficult to right our wrongs in the environment.
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