A Dark Future?

What to know: Should you refuse to have children, in order to save the planet? The Washington Post says the answer is “complicated.”

The TPPF take: The climate anxiety our young people suffer from is not warranted by the facts.

“Instead of using fear over the most extreme weather scenarios, our media, leaders, parents, and teachers should communicate to our young people the complete story of fossil fuels and the benefits of affordable and reliable energy,” says TPPF’s Syd Lucas. “America has cut harmful air pollution by 78% in the last five decades because of our innovative and efficient use of energy resources—not in spite of it.”

For more on climate anxiety, click here.

Regulatory Relief

What to know: Americans need relief from the rapidly growing regulatory state, former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech says.

The TPPF take: While regulatory reform is unlikely at the federal level—at least under President Biden—lawmakers at the state level can make a difference. Just look at regulation-heavy California, compared to Texas.

“California’s high taxes, heavy regulatory burden, and terrible lawsuit climate have conspired to make the state among the costliest in the nation,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “Gov. Gavin Newsom’s crushing COVID-19 response, leading to mass business closures and unemployment, was the last straw for many Californians.”

For more on regulatory reform, click here.

Help and Hope

What to know: In an attempt to address the city’s homeless crisis, New York Mayor Eric Adams is facing significant criticism from “advocates” over his proposal to mandate care for the homeless in psychiatric crisis.

The TPPF take: More than three-quarters of the street homeless are battling substance-use disorder and/or mental illness. A majority of them are also plagued with Anosognosia, a deficit of self-awareness, meaning they don’t know how sick they really are.

“To the surprise of few who understand these diseases—and human nature—these human beings are not in a frame of mind to request treatment services, at least initially,” says TPPF’s Michele Steeb. “As they receive treatment, they will begin to gain the clarity needed to participate in their healing. Allowing them to continue to wallow in their disease—while being continually exposed to the violent nature of life on the streets—is not compassionate. It creates harm to them and puts the community at risk as well.”

For more on homelessness, click here.