The current known helium reserves are estimated to last (at current consumption rates) for 100-200 more years. Fwiw, all this non-renewable talk is only true in

The current known helium reserves are estimated to last (at current consumption rates) for 100-200 more years. Fwiw, all this non-renewable talk is only true in a world without space exploration or fusion (two things that will hopefully be more common 100 years from now). The noise about a shortage is because the US gov't decided to stop subsidizing storage and delivery of helium, and scientists untrained in economics see "losing a subsidy" as similar to "a shortage" since the net effect is the same - prices are rising. Culling recreational use would add 10-20 years of supply, which is unlikely to be the 'make or break' bridge to fusion or space mining. Let people have fun, it's arguably the meaning of life.