Question

Which of the following statements best characterizes how developed and developing countries impact the environment?
A.
Neither developed nor developing countries have had a significant impact on the environment in the past century.
B.
Developed countries have tended to improve the environment, while developing countries have tended to damage it.
C.
Developed countries have damaged the environment, while developing countries have had little impact.
D.
Both developed and developing countries have had significant negative impacts on the environment.

Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

A
B
C
D

Answer 1

D

Both developed and developing countries have caused significant environmental harm — developed nations historically through industrialization and high per-capita resource use, and developing nations through current deforestation, pollution, and rapidly rising emissions as they industrialize.