Global Responsibility for GHG emissions 1850-2000

Many people believe that countries that are the biggest GHG emitters have some historical responsibility to help other countries to respond to the negative effects of climate change. If you poured toxic waste on your neighbor's yard for years and their health was adversely affected by your actions, it is almost certain that you would be found legally liable. So, why shouldn't people in developed states provide compensation to GHG damage in developing countries?

Cumulative Emissions from 1850 to 2000
Source: World Resource Institute 2005
	C02 (energy)
Country	MtC	Rank	% of World Total	Tons C Per Person	Rank
United States of America	81,969.40	1	29.78%	283.2	3
European Union (25)	74,827.10	2	27.18%	165.3	11
Russian Federation	22,711.00	3	8.25%	156.9	14
Germany	20,599.20	4	7.48%	250.2	6
China	20,047.80	5	7.28%	15.8	89
United Kingdom	17,920.60	6	6.51%	303.5	2
Japan	11,258.70	7	4.09%	88.6	37
France	8,216.20	8	2.98%	138.8	19
Ukraine	6,235.70	9	2.27%	127	22
Canada	5,902.90	10	2.14%	189.9	8
Poland	5,804.20	11	2.11%	150.2	15
India	5,576.00	12	2.03%	5.4	121
Italy	4,442.10	13	1.61%	77	42
South Africa	3,181.80	14	1.16%	71	44
Australia	2,899.50	15	1.05%	149.4	16
Belgium	2,757.50	16	1.00%	268.1	4