David Wallace-Wells

Date: 2019-03-06 | Duration: 1h 57m

Episode Overview

David Wallace-Wells dives deep into the escalating climate crisis, unpacking the stark realities behind rising global temperatures and their cascading effects. He highlights how wildfires, like those devastating California, are intensifying due to accumulated tinder and shifting weather patterns, posing unprecedented risks even to major cities. Wallace-Wells emphasizes that the world has already crossed critical warming thresholds, making it nearly impossible to avoid at least two degrees Celsius of temperature rise, which would trigger widespread economic, environmental, and social upheaval. He shares sobering insights into how poorer regions, such as India, will bear the brunt of climate impacts, including extreme heat, flooding, and food insecurity. The conversation also explores the complex interplay between climate science, policy, and public perception. Wallace-Wells critiques the slow global response, pointing to decades of denial and disinformation fueled by fossil fuel interests. Yet, he acknowledges emerging progress in renewable energy and technological innovation, while cautioning against overreliance on unproven “magical” solutions. He stresses the urgency of immediate action, noting that delays only compound future challenges. Throughout, Wallace-Wells balances grim forecasts with a call for alarm and engagement, urging listeners to confront the scale of the crisis and rethink what it means to live sustainably in a warming world.

About David Wallace-Wells

David Wallace-Wells is the Deputy Editor and climate columnist for New York Magazine, where he explores the urgent realities of climate change and its far-reaching implications. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book "The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming," which has sparked vital conversations about the existential threat posed by global warming. Known for his compelling writing and thought-provoking insights, Wallace-Wells challenges readers to confront the stark realities of climate science, making him a prominent voice in environmental discourse. His ability to convey complex scientific ideas in an accessible manner has established him as a key figure in the fight against climate apathy, making his appearances, including on the Joe Rogan Experience, both enlightening and essential for understanding our planet's future.

Key Moments

– Climate Change
– Global Warming
– Wildfires
– Carbon Emissions
– Environmental Policy
– Renewable Energy
– Air Pollution
– Climate Science
– Economic Impact
– Climate Denial
– Methane Emissions
– Sea Level Rise
– Fossil Fuels
– Climate Adaptation
– Climate Communication
– Technological Solutions
– Climate Justice
– Climate Anxiety
– Sustainable Agriculture
– Geoengineering
0:00:48 – Scientific estimates on wildfire increase
0:01:31 – Controlled burning as wildfire prevention
0:04:54 – Fire risk in Los Angeles and Bel Air
0:05:29 – Wildfires disproportionately affect the poor
0:08:20 – Consequences of rising temperatures
0:09:30 – Personal fear about climate change
0:10:40 – Unavoidable two degrees Celsius warming
0:14:00 – Two degree threshold as catastrophe marker
0:15:50 – Unequal global impacts of climate change
0:19:00 – Climate change progress since Al Gore's book
0:22:43 – Future climate scenarios at 2-3 degrees warming
0:26:19 – Genetically modified crops and food security
0:29:37 – Air pollution deaths and economic costs
0:33:39 – Aesthetic effects of geoengineering
0:35:52 – Methane emissions from livestock
0:39:04 – Climate change's impact on cognitive function
0:41:30 – Ancient viruses released by melting ice
0:46:27 – Climate change faster than predicted
0:48:47 – China's growing carbon footprint
0:51:45 – Renewable energy reducing air pollution
0:54:47 – Skepticism about technological fixes
0:57:20 – Importance of climate alarm and awareness
1:00:22 – Urgency of climate action timeline
1:01:38 – Real estate risks from sea level rise
1:07:02 – Global incentives to worsen climate impact
1:10:29 – Viral climate change discourse and criticism
1:12:10 – Partisanship affecting climate belief
1:15:13 – Economic considerations in climate policy
1:18:54 – Political causes of climate denial
1:20:15 – Legal obligations for climate action
1:25:34 – Electric car skepticism and acceptance
1:27:54 – Space colonization as future escape
1:33:06 – Futurism and technology conferences
1:35:12 – Positive aspects of climate mitigation
1:39:00 – Importance of climate conversations
1:41:30 – Risks of ancient pathogens from thawing ice
1:48:50 – Imagining future life amid climate change
1:53:08 – Book title and closing remarks

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 four three two one Starting point is 00:00:48 But, you know, there are scientific estimates that say that they're going to get, Starting point is 00:01:22 Yeah, no, there's a lot of preventative stuff you can do. Starting point is 00:01:31 did a lot of controlled burning. Starting point is 00:01:49 that means that more tinder gets built over time. Starting point is 00:02:29 kind of contain it yeah as best they can yeah and minimize property damage yeah but you know it's Starting point is 00:03:21 the top of the hill it was crazy i've never seen anything like it in my life that was the worst one i've ever seen but i think that was just because of placement Starting point is 00:03:51 but like my inner emotional perspective on the world Starting point is 00:04:06 a major metropolis here um and we're not safe we're certainly not totally safe um and that's Starting point is 00:04:35 It was hitting Bel Air. Starting point is 00:04:54 And he goes, there's not going to be anything we can do about it. He goes, if the right wind catches and a fire starts at the top of Los Angeles, it'll just go straight through L.A. Starting point is 00:05:29 they hit the world's poorest first. And like the wildfires are, they work in the reverse because Starting point is 00:06:12 scorched it to the ground like that's what it looks like now yeah it's so crazy well it's really Starting point is 00:06:47 Yeah. Starting point is 00:07:15 this thing moves back and forth over time and it has forever i mean if you think about like the Starting point is 00:07:48 And that just means more and more flooding. Starting point is 00:08:08 Oh, yeah. Starting point is 00:08:20 But, yeah, if it gets hotter, they're fucked, too. Starting point is 00:08:57 broken that threshold like there have been temperature records set every year but um last Starting point is 00:09:30 Are you terrified? Starting point is 00:10:06 I'm like a relatively well-off person who lives in America in, you kn...

Read the full transcript

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1259?

David Wallace-Wells was the guest on JRE #1259. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1259?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1259 with David Wallace-Wells, topics include Climate Change, Global Warming, Wildfires, and Carbon Emissions.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1259?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1259 with David Wallace-Wells is on the dedicated transcript page for this episode, with timestamps and in-page search.