World Environmental Kuznets Curve and the Global Future

Abstract

The world is heading towards an inevitable divide. The basis for division is trends in per capita income, rate of technological innovation, continued reliance on non-renewable sources of energy and thus, impact of per capita carbon emissions on the environment. The Environmental Kuznets Curve illustrates these trends and defines a county's future towards Sustainable Development. This paper is an evaluation of 30 countries using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). EKC examines relationship between per capita income and environmental degradation as reflected in per capita CO2 emissions. Environmental Kuznets Curve has been plotted using data from 1960-2050. The paper shows these countries characterised as per their CO2 emissions. It concludes by drawing attention to Asia and three other developing countries. In Asia, a lot can be implemented from experiences in South America and from the European Union. By 2050, many developing economies will transit from emerging market economies to developed status. The current century requires common goals in order to provide tomorrow's sustainable environmental solutions.