John Christy and Kerry Emanuel on Climate Change 03/24/2014

John Christy of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology talk with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about climate change. Topics discussed include what we know and don't know about global warming, trends in extreme weather such as hurricanes, rising sea level, the likely change in temperature in the next hundred years. Both scientists also give their perspective on what policies might be put in place to reduce risk from climate change. This episode was recorded before a live audience at the College of Business Administration at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. www.econtalk.org/john-christy...

[@owensuppes1]

This was a great discussion. So happy I came across these presenters. Here we have a reasonable discussion around uncertainty. What we did not hear was a reasonable discussion relative to positive attributions. We seem to be fixated on risks.

[@shaunthayer6222]

Exceptional. If you are looking for a discussion about climate change with knowledgeable and respectful experts this is one. There are too many noisy activists and not enough scientists speaking about this.

[@robbomax1143]

I, 100%, agree with you.
Given the lack of rational & meaningful debate that is available on the topic (particularly as climate change and/ or actions currently being implemented will affect almost everyone), it's amazing this video only has circa 1,000 views.

[@ricoman7981]

Interesting talk, I’m with Christie. This talk was from 2014 and as they referred to, temperatures had been rather flat for 15 years, even with expected annual fluctuations. Looking at the latest UAH Lower Atmosphere temperature graph, in the past 10 years temps have increased an average of 0.2-0.3 degrees C. In other words, not very much and still well below computer model projections. So in other words, not much has changed in the past 10 years since these two climate scientists had this discussion. It’s 10 years on and there is still no scientifically stringent method for determining how much of the approximate 0.25 degree C increase is due to atmospheric CO2 increasing from 397ppm to 419ppm. I don’t doubt CO2 has an effect but after following the science for years now and reading about it covering decades, I still don’t see the need to upset our economy chasing a ‘green’ dream, especially when it is so very clear that emissions from China and India specifically and other regions in Asia generally continue to rise with no end in site. From my perch, I don’t see oil, gas and coal use subsiding for decades and even with huge government subsidies, renewables growth continues to be measured in small numbers. Alarmists continue to invoke the ‘shouldn’t we try to prevent climate change even if the chance of catastrophic events is near zero’ and the ‘what about the world we are leaving to our grandchildren’ claims. If you are that concerned, how do you leave your house each day considering the chance of getting hit by a bus?

[@kctpl]

Yes i agree with this comment the problem is we .or most of us are like catttle being led around by the rich who make the laws and there's no question that money is involved in the climate issuis and coruption is at the for front ,,,,,so my thing is it is pure speculation and with that being said i agree 100% with Dr John Crhisty

[@julieta203]

The science is settled! Cheque is in the mail! I wont @#$ in your mouth!

[@Charlie-Bee]

What?

[@jackb8097]

Firstly, the pro-climate change guy seemed to do most of the talking here, the host seemed to be encouraging him to waffle on, whereas John Christy got straight to the point. The pro-climate change guy never answered or countered the points that John Christy kept making and repeating. Very frustrating discussion.