This Thanksgiving, Americans have a great deal to be thankful for, but climate alarmists would ruin much of it. Thanks to free markets, relative global stability, and the explosion of technology involving fossil fuels, Americans enjoy an unprecedented degree of prosperity — and the blessings have spread to billions across the world. Climate alarmists warn that this progress is unsustainable if not somehow evil, but there are many reasons to celebrate it.
The Heartland Institute released videos celebrating “the ten facts climate alarmists don’t want you to be grateful for.”
10. Global greening
Vegetation growth has increased across the earth thanks to carbon dioxide.
9. Higher life expectancy
In the past 60 years, global life expectancy has increased by 48 percent. In 1950, people could expect to live 48 years, on average. In 2015, the number had increased to 71.4 years.
8. Failure of the Green New Deal
The Heartland Institute celebrated that “Americans unequivocally rejected the Green New Deal,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s plan to change the entire economy — I mean, “save the earth.” Her resolution called for rebuilding every single building in America, among many other things. It has been estimated to cost between $49.109 trillion and $93 trillion — and there’s good reason to believe both are underestimates. The first five years of the Green New Deal would cost $250,000 per household, on average. Even taxing the rich at 100 percent would fall trillions short of the bill.
The U.S. Senate rejected the Green New Deal, and the House has not yet voted on it. Sadly, I think this video celebrating its defeat is premature. Many of the Democrats running for president in 2020 have endorsed the Green New Deal or some version of it. All the same, Americans should celebrate the temporary defeat of this dangerous bill.
7. Exiting the Paris Climate Accord
The Heartland Institute is right to celebrate America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord under Trump.
6. Transportation
We should all be thankful for modern transportation. Not only can we cheaply travel across continents and oceans, but trucking transported $721 billion worth of goods across America in 2017. Modern city life would not be possible without it.
5. Where’s the beef?
Climate alarmists have encouraged Americans to consume less meat, and emphasized the detrimental environmental impact of cow farts. An unofficial document connected to the Green New Deal — and later withdrawn by AOC’s staff — mentioned cow farts, and Bill Nye wants to tax them. Other alarmists have suggested we go vegan to save the earth.
Beef is the second-most consumed meat in the U.S., and cows represent only about 2 percent of the U.S.’s contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Americans should be thankful for their beef.
4. Fracking
Hydraulic Fracturing has revolutionized American oil production, leading the U.S. to become a net exporter of oil for the first time in decades in 2018. According to some estimates, fracking saved Americans $1.1 trillion over the last decade.
3. Warmer weather saves lives
If the globe really is warming, that may be something to be thankful for. Cold weather kills 20 times more people than hot weather.
2. Petroleum
Alarmists may demonize oil, but without petroleum, we wouldn’t have: Aspirin, bicycle tires, cell phones, chewing gum, computers, toothpaste, water bottles — oh, and solar panels!
1. The American patriot
Heartland’s last video praises the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. While I heartily agree that we should be extremely thankful for our veterans, the Founders, and the founding generation, I don’t think climate alarmists necessarily demonize American patriots. Let’s be thankful for our veterans, and on this point at least, climate alarmists should agree with us.
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member