Under President Donald Trump's leadership, EPA has sought to undo

Hear the proclamation of Andrew R. Wheeler, spoken in defense of his stewardship over the land and waters of America: “Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, EPA has sought to undo and correct the Obama administration’s failed regulatory decisions, proving that environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand.” These words resound with the tone of conflict, for they reveal a clash between two visions of governance—one that places faith in strong regulation, and another that seeks balance through deregulation and freedom. They remind us that the guardianship of nature is not only a question of science, but also of politics, philosophy, and the very soul of a nation.

When Wheeler speaks of undoing and correcting regulatory decisions, he points to the belief that some of the policies of the past did not bring balance but burden. He suggests that the rules designed under the prior administration, though cloaked in the language of protection, brought unintended harm: slowing growth, stifling enterprise, and creating hardship for communities that depended on energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. To “undo” in this sense was not to destroy, but to recalibrate—to find another way of achieving the same noble goal of environmental stewardship without crushing economic life.

The heart of his message lies in the phrase “environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand.” For generations, many believed these two aims to be enemies, locked in eternal struggle: either protect the earth or grow the economy, but never both. Wheeler rejects this false choice. He declares that prosperity does not have to come at the expense of nature, and that wise policies can both safeguard creation and uplift the livelihoods of the people. This is not merely a claim of policy, but a vision of harmony—of man’s industry coexisting with the health of the land.

History gives us an example in the story of the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. At that time, critics warned that new limits on sulfur dioxide emissions, aimed at reducing acid rain, would devastate industry and bring economic ruin. Yet when the rules were implemented, companies innovated, costs were far lower than expected, and both the environment and the economy benefited. Fish returned to once-dead lakes, forests began to recover, and power plants found cheaper, cleaner methods to produce energy. This tale demonstrates that when wisely guided, economic progress and environmental care can indeed walk together.

The deeper meaning of Wheeler’s words is a challenge to cynicism. Too often, people despair and believe that protecting the earth must always cost jobs, or that prosperity must always come with smoke-filled skies and poisoned rivers. But the truth is more subtle: with vision, innovation, and balanced leadership, the two can be reconciled. Wheeler’s words, though born of political contest, point to an ancient truth: that man thrives most when he lives not in opposition to the earth, but in partnership with it.

Yet his teaching also carries a warning. For while prosperity and protection can be united, they can just as easily fall apart if wisdom and vigilance are lacking. To swing too far toward profit without conscience is to invite ruin; to bind too tightly with law without regard for livelihood is to crush the human spirit. The path is narrow, and it demands both courage and humility. Leaders must weigh the consequences of every rule, not only for the present, but for generations yet unborn.

Children of tomorrow, take this wisdom to heart: do not accept the false choice between the earth and the economy. Strive instead for balance, for policies and practices that serve both. In your daily lives, remember this union—seek work that is productive but also sustainable, support innovations that reduce harm while increasing prosperity, and hold your leaders accountable to both responsibilities. For you are heirs not only to the riches of the land, but to its fragility as well.

Thus, the wisdom of Wheeler’s words endures: that environmental protection and economic prosperity are not destined to be rivals but can be companions. This harmony is not automatic; it must be forged through vision, vigilance, and virtue. Let this teaching guide your choices, so that your labor strengthens both the wealth of your people and the health of your earth, and so that your children inherit not ruin, but renewal.