Election Fallout: Climate Change Extremism Takes a Major Hit

By Stephen Moore |

Days before last week’s elections, independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders cautioned voters that a Trump victory would halt progress on climate change. His warning resonated; the green energy agenda prominent in the election faced a significant defeat.

Middle-class Americans, focused on daily financial struggles, showed little concern for the planet’s condition decades down the line. Polls consistently indicate that climate issues rank low on the public’s list of concerns, overshadowed by jobs, inflation, and immigration crises.

In sharp contrast, the nation’s wealthiest individuals perceive climate change as an immediate threat. A recent poll by Unleash Prosperity revealed that cultural elites are so engrossed in environmental issues that they might advocate for prohibitions on air conditioning and nonessential travel. However, this viewpoint diverges significantly from the attitudes of the broader population.

The climate change agenda has morphed into a privileged concern; the affluent often engage in virtue-signaling, spouting environmentally-friendly rhetoric in exclusive social circles. Meanwhile, lower-income individuals bear the brunt of policies that arise from these concerns.

This poses a political challenge for climate advocates. Wealthy citizens may dismiss rising fuel prices or increases in utility bills, while middle-class families feel the strain considerably. Additionally, the government’s insistence on electric vehicle adoption without considering public interest has alienated many voters.

The progressive approach to environmentalism has also drawn criticism for neglecting pressing urban pollution issues. While pursuing lofty climate goals, many have overlooked the immediate quality of life concerns in cities like San Francisco and New York, where real pollution presents daily challenges.

Importantly, the backlash against radical green initiatives this election cycle does not equate to a disregard for a clean environment. The air and water quality in the U.S. has improved, a testament Trump underscored during his presidency. Progress against pollution will continue despite political setbacks.

Advocates of a climate-centric agenda inadvertently misrepresented the impact of climate policies, claiming such measures would primarily benefit poor communities. Instead, the economic consequences have fallen heavily on non-elite workers, whose jobs and wages are jeopardized by the transition away from fossil fuels.

Democrats neglected to consult essential sectors, from steel manufacturing to oil and gas, about their perspectives on climate policy. The outcome of the elections has clarified this disconnect. Many Americans prioritize their financial security and the rising costs they face daily. If Democrats fail to address these realities, they may soon find themselves preoccupied with job security as well.

Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Stephen Moore is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, and a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity. His latest book is titled “The Trump Economic Miracle.”