It's sobering to realize that my lazy ways, along with having luxuries that come from living in a wealthy nation, are partly responsible for some global bad karma.

At least, that's what I realized after reading about how the United Nations' climate experts predict that poorer nations will bear the brunt of catastrophes and natural disasters as the world gets hotter.

And, of course, it's wealthier, industrialized nations -- and our indulgent habits -- that are largely responsible for producing most of the carbon emissions that cause global warming.

On Friday, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will release a comprehensive report on the growing climate divide.

According to the New York Times, it is expected to detail that richer countries away from the equator will experience fewer effects from global warming, and will have more resources to manage the natural disasters, droughts, floods, and other problems that are likely to occur.

Wealthier nations can afford to start planning for the climate changes -- and many have already started. For instance, desalination plants are being built to provide water to desert areas, such as California, Australia, and even my home state, New Mexico. We can afford flood barriers and can utilize newer technologies to prepare for rising seas, warmer temperatures, and droughts. Furthermore, experts predict that we can expect these resources to last for at least two generations.

Poorer nations, of course, do not have these luxuries. Although industrialized countries are responsible for most of the carbon emissions, poor countries near the equator, including many African nations, will feel the heat. Droughts, floods, crop failures, water shortages, and associated problems all become increasingly likely as the earth gets warmer.

On the whole, the situation makes me feel queasy. Naturally, I try to reduce my impact whenever possible. Or do I mean, whenever it's super-easy for me to do so?

But this report drives it home for me: I need to make that extra effort -- even if it's not always super-easy. That means walking more than I do now, unplugging lights and appliances even if it's somewhat inconvenient, shopping less, and catching myself when I make excuses for not doing so.

Among other things, I really don't want my careless habits to mess up my karma -- or the planet.