>West has all the right to "pontification" since only the West has thus far delivered a high standard of living coupled with respect for human rights.

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic. But I am sorry to inform you that "development" of the west was borne out or slave labour. It is just that simple.

The was did not get developed in the past 50 years. I know, it sounds so shocking, but it is true.

In 40 years when countries are going to be invaded for industrial pollution (that's if the concept o countries still exist) the "west" and people like you would be stating, " you can be developed industrially without polluting the environment".

The facts may be unpleasant, but they remain fact.