For over four decades, Americans have encountered persistent environmental warnings. From acid rain and the ozone hole to melting ice caps and city flooding, these concerns have dominated discussions. Al Gore contributed to this dialogue with alarming messages about global warming, now known as climate change. Today, we witness the effects on youth. A Lancet Planetary Health survey involving 15,793 Americans aged 16 to 25 found that 85% are at least moderately concerned about climate change. Notably, 58% reported being very or extremely worried. Over half of the young respondents expressed climate change affects their decision to have children.
Additional studies reveal similar patterns. Those more worried about the climate tend to prefer having fewer or no children. This raises critical questions. Millions believe the future may be too grim for raising families, although the current environmental picture may differ from these perceptions. Earth’s vegetation is expanding. NASA noted a significant greening of 25 to 50% of the world’s land between 1982 and 2015, driven mainly by increased carbon dioxide, which serves as a plant nutrient.
Agricultural advances also support this claim. Grain production has nearly tripled per acre since 1961. The area of cropland conserved equals the size of the U.S. and India combined. Improvements are credited to better seeds, machinery, irrigation, modern farming, fossil fuel-derived fertilizers, and carbon dioxide. Air quality has improved as well. The EPA reported a 79% reduction in emissions of the six main pollutants from 1970 to 2024, despite economic growth, increased driving, and a larger population.
Global prosperity has also seen significant gains. People living in extreme poverty dropped from around 2.3 billion in 1990 to roughly 800 million today, amid a global population increase of nearly three billion. Life expectancy, literacy, and living standards are at all-time highs.
History has shown similar alarmist predictions. Paul Ehrlich’s 1968 book, “The Population Bomb,” anticipated mass starvation in the 1970s, which never occurred, thanks in part to Norman Borlaug’s Green Revolution that fed another billion.
This doesn’t imply current environmental issues are imaginary. It means they are challenges to address, not grounds for despair. Historical achievements such as building infrastructure, curing diseases, and technological breakthroughs demonstrate human capacity to overcome challenges.
Even Elon Musk advocates for innovation and expansion, despite acknowledging man-made carbon’s impact on the climate. This proactive approach is essential for youth today. Educating on actual solvable issues and not unfounded fears is crucial.
Parents should inquire about school teachings on climate. Review the curriculum and discuss the inclusion of data. Engage in these conversations at school board meetings. Shifting the educational narrative from fear to constructive problem-solving can empower future generations to build a brighter world.
Frank Lasee is a senior policy analyst with the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow.