ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the challenges faced by developing nations, especially those with large populations, suffering widespread and extreme poverty. Less developed nations may be tempted to try to replicate the economic policies and development model of a country whose economy expanded six times in the course of 20 years. China has gradually become not only a major recipient of foreign direct investment from developed nations, but also a key investor herself in other developing economies. Recent data analysis has shown that climate change and conflict often go hand in hand African nations that suffer from reduced precipitation face a much higher risk of civil conflict. To prevent carbon emissions and local pollution from industrial activities in developing countries on a larger scale, though, more funds will be needed from richer nations. Climate change will simply reinforce this existing vulnerability of the poorest nations, where individuals, communities and governments have few if any resources to adapt to global warming.
