Reality Check For Gen Z: 'Green' Energy Requires Wealth

The author argues that environmental policy should prioritize wealth creation over restricting fossil fuels, as wealth is essential for fighting pollution. Environmentalism is a luxury only affluent societies can afford, and most humans throughout history have been concerned with basic survival. Developed countries like the US and Europe can invest in cleaner energy solutions because they have a high baseline level of prosperity. Climate change activists focus on Western countries because they can afford to make changes, whereas developing countries like India and Pakistan prioritize industrialization over environmental concerns. Accessible energy is the foundation of modern comforts like cell phones, computers, and climate-controlled buildings. Even the poorest in the US and Europe benefit from cheap energy, which allows them to think about the future. However, if people struggle to pay their bills, they will prioritize short-term needs over environmental concerns. Liberal environmental policies can harm the middle class, leading to more pollutive activities. The author suggests that instead of restricting energy, we should unburden the industry to allow market solutions to become more efficient and accessible. Ultimately, people need to feel secure in their comfortable lives to be interested in saving the environment.