We got some pushback from readers about our item in Tuesday’s HOTLINE praising President Trump’s repeal of regulations on CO2 emissions. Some questioned our claim that U.S. air pollution levels have fallen dramatically. (We like pushback, by the way. Keep it coming. It keeps us honest.)

Many people – especially the younger generation – believe that air pollution now is WORSE than it was in the past. Here are the official stats since 1980: on average, dangerous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur, and nitrogen have plummeted by around 70%.

The chart below shows that the reduction in pollution is especially remarkable given the growth of population and GDP.  No other industrialized country comes close to the pollution reduction of the U.S.

Economic Output Up, Pollution Down