Some great points made here.
- One of the unfortunate dynamics of the modern environmental movement is that it needs to downplay legitimately positive news lest it feel like a sense of urgency and fear is undermined by reality. Yet some good news seems almost dishonest to not mention, right? Like for example – carbon monoxide emissions are down -73% over the last forty years. Or the fact that lead levels in the air are down -99%. Nitrogen oxides have been reduced -62%. Sulfur dioxide as an air pollutant is down -90%. So why not proclaim the good news of these reductions? Well, I have a theory.
- Because GDP is up +275% in these same forty years, vehicle miles traveled are up +191%, energy consumption is up +49%, and the U.S. population is up a stunning +60%. And if that kind of economic growth and energy utilization can coincide with such a huge reduction in air pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, etc., then maybe, just maybe – carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced even as we grow our economy as well. And I do not believe this is just “accidentally” possible. I think the testimony of history is abundantly clear: Richer equals cleaner. Economic prosperity is NOT at odds with environmental stewardship; it is the cause of greater environmental stewardship.
- By David Bahnsen