The argument seems sound, as you pointed out, in many respects, but I am loath to jump on any "help Africa" lines of speculation, since developed nations have long ignored the needs of Africa unless exploitable resources were up for grabs. The ongoing genocides in Congo and the Sudan, and the hopelessly inadequate assistance to Rwanda in their hours of need reflect just how interested in Africa the west is.

Kyoto may benefit Africa indirectly, but I can't believe that any western interest wants to take the hard road to developing anything on a continent rife with instability, disease, and hunger, as that road requires expensive investments like education, health care, and other overhead expenses that we can't even adequately address within our own borders.

There is a website, carbonfinance.org, that uses confounding language to explain all of this carbon-credit, emissions trading business. And it is business, in spite of the not-for-profit designation. I wish I understood it better than I do, and I truly hope we DO help Africa develop cleanly. But, if history is any indication...I'm not holding my breath for positive progress.
 

Good things, JDT