Emissions are declining naturally as old capital is replaced by new. U.S. air is steadily getting cleaner, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. Despite protesters in New York City who say America is getting more polluted, between 1980 and 2012, a range of emissions declined significantly.
Carbon emissions: down 83%. Ozone: down 25%. Lead: down 91%. Nitrogen dioxide: down 60%. Particulate matter: down 33%. Sulfur dioxide: down 78%.
As old cars wear out and are replaced by new, more efficient models, and as more modern factories and power plants replace old ones, that process will continue without additional regulation.
Clean air is important, that is true. But it is getting cleaner, not dirtier. And that’s a fact. Costly U.S. measures to influence climate change are unlikely to achieve their objective. Instead, they will slow the economy, reducing job opportunities and mobility, and increasing inequality.
With China and India not attending the climate conference, and the US prevaricating, it is hard to see any benefit in trying to hurry up the process at massive cost.
