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Today, Explained

The six D-words of climate change

Sep 21, 2023
Michael E. Mann, a leading climate scientist and author, dives into the six D-words crucial for understanding climate change this Climate Week. He discusses the 'hockey stick graph,' revealing alarming temperature trends and collective skepticism towards climate science. Mann emphasizes the shift from denial to division tactics used by industries like ExxonMobil. He critiques the deflection of responsibility, stressing that individuals alone can't fix this crisis. The conversation culminates with a call for urgent, systemic action to secure our future.
25:07

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The hockey stick curve is a powerful visual representation of the dramatic warming trend over the past century and a half, demonstrating the profound impact humans have on the climate today.
  • Climate polluters have shifted their tactics from denialism to division and delay, using softer denialist strategies to downplay the detrimental effects of the climate crisis and divert the conversation away from systemic changes and collective responsibility.

Deep dives

The Hockey Stick Curve: A Landmark Achievement in Climate Science

One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the significance of the hockey stick curve in climate science. The hockey stick curve, published by climate scientist Michael Mann, shows how temperatures have varied over the past thousand years. It reveals a dramatic warming trend over the past century and a half, following a relatively stable period. The curve has become an iconic graph in the climate change debate, highlighting the profound impact humans have on the climate today.

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