The Realignment 395 | David Lipsky: Climate Change, the Culture Wars, and the Path to Denial
Aug 10, 2023
David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial, talks about the evolution of climate change, climate policy roads not taken, the line between science denial and policy debate, the ability of the American political system to solve climate change, missed opportunities for national service, and reflections on research and storytelling.
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American Invention Scales Rapid Change
- The U.S. has repeatedly shown rapid, transformative invention driven by diverse actors like Morse, Edison and Tesla.
- That history suggests technological breakthroughs can shift energy systems quickly if politically supported.
Environmentalism Versus Pragmatic Technology
- Environmental campaigners' mistrust of technologies like nuclear power can limit practical climate options.
- Climate scientists often see nuclear as essential despite political opposition from green groups.
We Had Decades-Long Early Warnings
- The U.S. knew about CO2-driven warming as early as the 1950s and had authoritative warnings by the 1970s.
- That early, clear science created a multi-decade window where different political choices could have limited warming.