395 | David Lipsky: Climate Change, the Culture Wars, and the Path to Denial
Aug 10, 2023
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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.
The importance of presenting accurate and realistic information to avoid undermining the credibility of the climate change issue.
The missed opportunity during the Obama administration to prioritize climate change legislation highlights the need for political will and effective prioritization.
Moving away from divisive political rhetoric and focusing on pragmatic solutions like fracking and nuclear power can serve as short-term measures to address climate change.
Deep dives
The Importance of Technology in Addressing Climate Change
The podcast episode explores the role of technology in addressing climate change and highlights the historical examples of Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Morse, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. The discussion emphasizes how the innovative spirit and problem-solving abilities of individuals in the past have resulted in significant changes in society. The podcast also highlights the need for fresh thinking and the inclusion of diverse opinions to tackle climate change effectively.
The Challenges of Overstatement
The episode discusses how overstatement and exaggerated claims made by some campaigners have hindered progress in addressing climate change. It points out that the failure of predictions such as the Arctic becoming tropical or having a massive population boom has given ammunition to skeptics and those on the fence about climate change. The episode emphasizes the importance of presenting accurate and realistic information to avoid undermining the credibility of the climate change issue.
Missed Opportunity and the Importance of Priorities
The podcast highlights the missed opportunity during the Obama administration to prioritize climate change legislation. Despite campaign promises acknowledging the urgency of the issue, health care reform took precedence over climate action. This decision, coupled with the subsequent delay in addressing climate change, is seen as a significant setback. The episode emphasizes the need for political will and effective prioritization to tackle climate change effectively.
Fracking as a Short-Term Solution
Fracking is proposed as a short-term solution to address the issue of climate change by reducing the use of coal and increasing the use of natural gas. This approach is seen as an alternative to carbon taxes or international treaties. While it may not be favored by environmental activists, proponents argue that it can lead to lower emissions and serve as a bridge until more sustainable solutions are developed. The potential benefits of fracking and nuclear power are emphasized, highlighting the need to move away from divisive political rhetoric and focus on pragmatic solutions.
The Challenges of Addressing Climate Change
The complexity of climate change as a global problem is discussed, comparing it to previous environmental challenges such as acid rain and the ozone layer. Unlike those issues, climate change requires a combination of approaches including scientific research, conversations about nuclear power and fracking, international treaties, and taxes. The podcast highlights the difficulty in finding political solutions due to national interests, egotism, and the profit-seeking nature of corporations. It suggests that leaving important decisions solely in the hands of national leaders or profit-making industries may not lead to the best outcomes, and alternative solutions, such as some form of national service, may be necessary to address climate change effectively.
David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial, joins The Realignment. David and Marshall discuss how climate change evolved from a policy oriented scientific issue to casualty of the culture wars, climate policy roads not taken over the past 70 years, the line between science denial and legitimate policy debate, the American political system's ability to "solve" climate change in the first place, and revisit Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point, David's chronicle of the USMA during the 9/11 era.
