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#339 – Climate Change Debate: Bjørn Lomborg and Andrew Revkin

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Nov 18, 2022

Bjørn Lomborg, president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center and author of "False Alarm", joins climate journalist Andrew Revkin, known for his work with the New York Times. They dive into the complexities of climate change, comparing skepticism and alarmism, and discuss the socio-economic factors shaping disaster resilience. The conversation highlights the role of innovation in climate solutions, the importance of effective communication, and how media narratives shape public perceptions. They also encourage youth engagement in addressing misinformation around climate issues.

04:16:22

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ANECDOTE

Spectrum of Climate Change Beliefs

Lex Fridman frames the climate change discussion as a spectrum.
Extremes range from denial of human impact to catastrophic predictions of human extinction.

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INSIGHT

Electric Car Inefficiency

Electric cars, though promising, are currently an inefficient way to reduce emissions.
Their high cost and reliance on non-renewable energy sources limit their immediate impact.

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ANECDOTE

Rush Limbaugh Incident

Andrew Revkin recounts Rush Limbaugh suggesting he commit suicide due to his climate views.
This highlights the intense backlash he faced for his reporting, impacting his family significantly.

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The Transformative Power of Napping and Innovative Solutions

02:08 • 2min

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Navigating the Spectrum of Climate Change Beliefs and Personal Health Innovation

04:37 • 4min

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Navigating Climate Complexities

08:08 • 30min

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Navigating Climate Discourse

37:51 • 22min

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Nature's Grandeur and Human Impact

59:32 • 12min

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Connectivity and Resilience in Disaster Preparedness

01:11:46 • 6min

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Navigating Climate Crisis: Scenarios and Adaptation

01:17:19 • 12min

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Navigating Climate Complexity

01:29:04 • 27min

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The Language of Climate Change

01:56:29 • 25min

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Trust, Truth, and Climate Solutions

02:21:41 • 11min

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Investing in Global Health: Tackling Neglected Infectious Diseases

02:32:11 • 2min

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E-Procurement and its Impact on Governance

02:34:34 • 6min

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Navigating Global Education and Energy Solutions

02:40:19 • 29min

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Fossil Fuels: A Double-Edged Sword

03:09:30 • 11min

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Bridging the Climate Divide

03:20:01 • 15min

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Navigating Journalistic Ethics and Empathy

03:34:48 • 7min

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Presidential Impact on Climate Change

03:42:03 • 11min

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Empowering Youth Against Climate Catastrophism

03:52:34 • 22min

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Exploring Nuances: The Importance of Dialogue in Climate Change

04:14:32 • 2min

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#21350

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Cool It

The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming

Bjorn Lomborg

In this book, Bjorn Lomborg argues that many expensive actions considered to address global warming will have little impact on the world’s temperature. He suggests focusing on more cost-effective approaches, such as increasing green energy R&D, and discusses why dissenters in the climate change debate are often demonized. The book also addresses other pressing global issues like malaria and HIV/AIDS.

#2434

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

Fossil Futures

Alex Epstein

Alex Epstein's "Fossil Fuels" delves into the crucial role of fossil fuels in human civilization. Epstein challenges the prevailing narrative surrounding climate change, arguing that fossil fuels have been instrumental in improving living standards and reducing poverty globally. He emphasizes the importance of energy abundance and its impact on various aspects of society, from economic growth to technological advancements. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of energy production and consumption, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both environmental concerns and the benefits of fossil fuels. Epstein's work has sparked significant debate and discussion within the energy sector and beyond.

#8984

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The skeptical environmentalist

Measuring the Real State of the World

Bjørn Lomborg

In this book, Bjørn Lomborg challenges the conventional wisdom on environmental issues by arguing that many of the claims made by environmentalists are exaggerated or misleading. Using extensive statistical data from recognized research institutes, Lomborg examines various environmental topics such as deforestation, pollution, water scarcity, and global warming. He contends that economic growth and technological advancements can address many of these issues more effectively than the policies advocated by environmental groups. The book has been both praised for its detailed analysis and criticized for its methodology and interpretation of data.

#436

• Mentioned in 68 episodes

The Ministry for the Future

Kim Stanley Robinson

The Ministry for the Future is a novel by Kim Stanley Robinson that delves into the urgent issue of climate change. Set in the near future, the story follows the establishment of a UN agency, the Ministry for the Future, whose mission is to advocate for the rights of future generations. The novel is told through multiple perspectives, including those of Mary Murphy, the head of the Ministry, and Frank May, an American aid worker who survives a devastating heat wave in India. The book explores various innovative solutions to climate change, such as the introduction of a new currency called 'carboni' to incentivize decarbonization, and it presents a hopeful yet realistic vision of how humanity might cooperate to mitigate the effects of climate change. The narrative includes a mix of fictional eyewitness accounts, non-fiction descriptions, and diverse writing styles, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the climate crisis.

#5511

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels

Alexander Joseph Epstein

In this book, Alex Epstein presents a case for the moral justification of using fossil fuels, arguing that they are essential for human progress and well-being. Epstein challenges the prevailing views on climate change and energy policy, suggesting that the benefits of fossil fuels, such as providing low-cost and reliable energy, outweigh their negative impacts. He advocates for a 'human flourishing' framework, emphasizing the role of fossil fuels in reducing global poverty and improving living standards.

#8598

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

False Alarm

Hank DenHerder

Bjorn Lomborg's "False Alarm" challenges the prevailing narrative surrounding climate change. He argues that the catastrophic predictions often presented are exaggerated and that focusing on adaptation and technological innovation is a more effective approach. The book presents data-driven arguments to support his claims, advocating for a more nuanced and less alarmist perspective on the issue. Lomborg proposes a cost-benefit analysis of various climate change mitigation strategies, suggesting that prioritizing other global challenges might yield better results. He emphasizes the importance of economic growth and technological advancement in addressing climate change effectively.

Bjørn Lomborg is author of “False Alarm”. Andrew Revkin is a climate journalist (21 years at NY Times). Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Andrew’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Revkin
Andrew’s Substack: https://revkin.substack.com
Andrew’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/revkin
Bjørn’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BjornLomborg
Bjørn’s Website: https://lomborg.com
Andrew’s Books:
The Human Planet: https://amzn.to/3MRuLUY
The Burning Season: https://amzn.to/3Dmr5Hq
Bjørn’s Books:
False Alarm: https://amzn.to/3Sqt5D4
How to Spend $75 Billion to Make the World a Better Place: https://amzn.to/3gwoIJ7

PODCAST INFO:
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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(06:59) – Politics of climate change
(24:01) – Greta Thunberg
(30:31) – Electric cars
(37:53) – Economy
(45:30) – Journalism
(59:32) – Human emissions
(1:17:19) – Worst-case climate change scenario
(1:37:40) – Hurricanes
(1:56:29) – Climate change vs Global warming
(2:00:35) – Climate alarmism
(2:15:25) – Economic models
(2:46:52) – Climate change policies
(3:02:54) – Nuclear energy
(3:09:30) – Alex Epstein
(3:20:00) – Public opinion on climate change
(3:41:57) – US presidents
(3:52:35) – Advice for young people
(4:06:10) – Meaning of life

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