#1259 - David Wallace-Wells
NaN minutesEpisode #1259
David Wallace-Wells is Deputy editor and climate columnist for New York magazine. His book "The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming" is available now.
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Episode Timestamps
California Fires - Future Apocalypse and Climate Impact
- Scientific estimates predict California wildfires to increase dramatically by the end of the century.
- Discussing factors contributing to wildfires such as temperature rise and preventative measures.
- Exploring challenges in firefighting efforts and the impact on populated areas.
Urban Vulnerability to Climate Change - Stakes for Major Cities
- Evaluation of climate change effects on major cities like Los Angeles and Miami Beach.
- Highlighting the vulnerability of coastal settlements and wealthy neighborhoods to natural disasters.
- Exploring the potential future impacts on densely populated urban areas and relocation challenges.
Impacts of Climate Change: Bleak Picture and Catastrophic Warming
- UN warning of catastrophic warming with 2 degrees increase
- Potential sea level rise of 260 feet with ice sheet collapse
- Estimate of 200 million to a billion climate refugees
Climate Change Threats and Solutions: Global Impact and Possibilities
- Global GDP projected to shrink by 20-30 percent due to climate change
- Discussion on technologies to reverse carbon footprint
- Highlighting the urgency and potential to avert worst-case scenarios
Climate Change Reality Check & Cognitive Biases
- Discussion on global warming and its alarming reality despite visual perception.
- Exploration of cognitive biases influencing our perception of climate change future.
- Importance of listening to scientists' projections despite likelihood of revisions.
Lessons from Past Prophets & Future Agricultural Crisis
- Examination of Paul Ehrlich's failed prophecy on overpopulation and Green Revolution.
- Impact of Norman Borlaug's innovations on agricultural productivity.
- Foreseen challenges in agriculture with projected grain yield decline and societal impacts of climate change.
Sulfur Geoengineering: Impact on Agriculture and Climate
- Suspending sulfur in the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth.
- Potential impacts on agriculture and unknown side effects.
- Concerns about vulnerability to terrorism and abrupt warming if the program is disrupted.
Methane Emissions: Cows & Permafrost
- Issues with methane emissions from cows being a potent greenhouse gas.
- Possibility of reducing methane emissions by feeding cattle seaweed.
- Concerns regarding carbon release from melting permafrost and the potential dramatic impact on global warming.
Impacts of Climate Change on Human Civilization
- Global temperature drop led to human population shrinking to 7,000
- Climate conditions significantly impact human civilization
- Rapid temperature changes could lead to catastrophic outcomes
Global Climate Crisis and Emerging Geopolitical Challenges
- China's increasing carbon footprint and global infrastructure projects
- China's investments in creating an alternative global infrastructure
- The need for a new geopolitical strategy to address climate change
Climate Change Impacts & Urgency
- Discussion on extreme weather events like '500-year storm' and Hurricane Harvey's impact on Houston
- The increasing alarm and fear around unprecedented climate change
- Comparisons made to historical events and the need for urgent action
Rising Sea Levels & Global Impacts
- Impacts of rising sea levels on cities like New York, New Jersey, Miami Beach, and Bangladesh
- Challenges posed by infrastructure projects like building seawalls
- Potential exodus and relocation due to climate change effects
Global Leaders' Climate Policies & Dilemmas
- Many nations face dilemmas in climate action due to conflicting interests.
- Leaders like Justin Trudeau and Angela Merkel showcase mixed approaches to climate policy.
- Global emissions challenge the collective action of nations.
Brazil's Deforestation Threat and Global Impact
- Brazil's President aims to deforest the Amazon, risking major global consequences.
- His plan could have the impact of adding another China-sized carbon footprint.
- Potential future scenarios include international actions to address environmental threats.
Climate Solutions and Carbon Tax Debate
- Immediate action needed to reduce emissions by 10% annually
- Discussion on effectiveness of a global carbon tax up to $5,500 per ton
- Past missed opportunities for moderate changes now requiring drastic measures
Legal Battles and Future Climate Actions
- Lawsuits against oil companies for climate damages increasing
- Examples of successful climate-related lawsuits such as in the Netherlands and US
- Potential impact of court cases on obligating maximalist climate policies
Interstellar Arcs and Space Exploration vs. Climate Change
- Discussion on the need for long-term solutions like interstellar arcs for grand scale threats like the sun burning out
- Comparison of space exploration (millennia timescale) and climate change (next 30 years timescale) urgency
- Humorous take on space exploration as a 'big metal dick' and the allure of space for the current generation
Jeff Bezos, China's Space Exploration, and the Future Outlook
- Comparison between private (like Bezos) and government-led (like China) ambitious space exploration efforts
- Discussion on physical transformation of Jeff Bezos and societal perceptions of billionaires
- Exploration of futuristic ideas like brain uploading and climate change coping mechanisms
Causes of Environmental Crisis and Solutions Discussed
- Comparison between American and European carbon footprints
- Impact of wasted food on carbon emissions
- Importance of addressing wastefulness in electricity consumption
Individual vs. Societal Responsibility for Change
- Positive aspect of recognizing hypocrisy in promoting change
- Role of policy and taxation in directing behavior towards societal goals
- Significance of individual awareness in supporting societal shifts