Joe Rogan and Andrew Dessler Talk Climate Change: A Level-Headed Look

Climate change can feel like a minefield, but sometimes you just need a clear, calm voice to guide you through the science. That’s exactly what you get in this episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, featuring climate scientist Andrew Dessler. Dessler, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University, brings his expertise to the table, dissecting complex issues and offering a dose of reality to the often-heated debate. Get ready for a thoughtful discussion that cuts through the noise!

TL;DR

Climate models are remarkably accurate, especially on a global scale.
Focusing on specific extreme weather events as “proof” of climate change is misleading.
Natural gas, while better than coal, is not a long-term solution.
Individual actions matter, but systemic change is crucial.
Technological innovation, like carbon capture, offers potential solutions.

Key Topics Covered

The Accuracy of Climate Models

One of the first things Joe and Andrew delve into is how well climate models actually predict the future. Dessler emphasizes that these models are sophisticated and have been validated over decades. They are not just guesswork; they are based on fundamental physics and have proven surprisingly accurate, particularly when looking at global temperature trends. He notes that it’s far harder to forecast local or short-term changes.

Dessler is keen to stress that climate science isn’t some giant conspiracy, it is an ongoing scientific process of refinement based on the observation of natural events as well as complex modelling to predict the impact of those events. He says the main thing to realise is that action needs to happen now!

“Climate models have been around for a long time, and they’ve done remarkably well at predicting what’s happening.” – Andrew Dessler

Attributing Extreme Weather Events to Climate Change

The conversation naturally shifts to extreme weather events. Both Joe and Andrew acknowledge that it’s tempting to point to a specific hurricane or heatwave and say, “That’s climate change!” However, Dessler cautions against this simplistic view. While climate change increases the likelihood and intensity of certain events, attributing any single event solely to climate change is scientifically problematic. The nuance being that specific events can’t be blamed, but scientists can model with accuracy the impacts of the increasing global temperature caused by climate change.

“You can’t say that any one event is caused by climate change, but you can say that climate change made it more likely or more intense.” – Andrew Dessler

The Role of Natural Gas and Other Energy Sources

Joe and Andrew discuss the complexities of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. While natural gas is often touted as a “bridge fuel,” Dessler makes it clear that it’s not a long-term solution. Methane leakage during natural gas extraction and transportation is a significant problem, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. He advocates for a move towards truly renewable energy sources like solar and wind, coupled with energy storage solutions. He acknowledges that current carbon capture technology is expensive, but there’s a lot of exciting technological innovation happening.

Intriguing Anecdotes & Stories

Andrew shares an anecdote about the difficulties of communicating climate science to the public. He explains that scientists often use precise language and avoid making definitive statements, which can be misinterpreted as uncertainty or doubt. This can create a disconnect between the scientific consensus and public perception.

One thing that really stood out to me was Andrew’s explanation of how climate models work. He described them as incredibly complex simulations that take into account a huge number of factors, from solar radiation to ocean currents. It really gave me a sense of the scale and sophistication of the science behind climate change.

Conclusion

Overall, this Joe Rogan Experience episode with Andrew Dessler provides a balanced and informative discussion on climate change. Dessler’s expertise and calm demeanor help to clarify complex issues and offer a realistic perspective on the challenges and potential solutions. This episode would be particularly interesting for anyone who wants to understand the science behind climate change and move beyond the often-polarized rhetoric.