Andrew Dessler

Date: 2022-02-16 | Duration: 2h 15m

Episode Overview

Climate scientist Andrew Dessler joins Joe Rogan to unpack the complexities of climate change, energy policy, and environmental impacts. Drawing on three decades of atmospheric research, Dessler addresses common misconceptions about renewable energy, emphasizing the current affordability and growing integration of wind and solar power, particularly in Texas. He highlights the necessity of dispatchable power sources like natural gas to balance renewables and discusses the challenges and promise of nuclear energy, including small modular reactors. Dessler also reflects on the 2021 Texas power crisis, explaining how failures in fossil fuel infrastructure underscore the economic risks of relying on outdated energy systems. The conversation delves into the social and economic consequences of fossil fuel dependence, with Dessler pointing out the disproportionate pollution burden on low-income communities and the broader health impacts of coal-fired power plants. He critiques political obstacles that hinder climate progress, including lobbying and gerrymandering, while stressing that the climate challenge is fundamentally political rather than technical. Dessler also explores carbon’s role in the atmosphere, the scientific evidence linking human activity to global warming, and the potential for technological and policy solutions to reduce emissions. Throughout, he balances scientific rigor with accessible explanations, offering a nuanced perspective on how society can navigate the transition to a cleaner energy future.

About Andrew Dessler

Andrew Dessler is a distinguished climate scientist and a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University, where he is renowned for his expertise in climate change and its far-reaching impacts. With an impressive background that includes serving as a Senior Policy Analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under President Bill Clinton, Dessler brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and policy insight to the conversation on climate action. He is also a Google Science Communication Fellow and the author of several influential books, including the award-winning "Introduction to Modern Climate Change," which has become a key resource in understanding contemporary climate issues. Dessler's ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner makes him a captivating figure in the climate discourse, and his insights on the Joe Rogan Experience episode #1777 shed light on the urgent challenges and solutions surrounding climate change today.

Key Moments

– Climate Science
– Renewable Energy
– Fossil Fuels
– Nuclear Power
– Environmental Policy
– Carbon Emissions
– Energy Storage
– Economic Impact
– Air Pollution
– Climate Change Adaptation
– Fracking
– Electric Vehicles
– Public Health
– Political Influence
– Carbon Capture
– Agriculture
– Climate Communication
– Peer Review
– Methane Emissions
0:00:24 – Andrew Dessler introduces his climate research background
0:03:26 – Discussion on replacing and modifying energy equipment in Texas
0:04:32 – Economic impact of eliminating fossil fuels on communities
0:07:45 – Current cost competitiveness of wind and solar energy
0:09:42 – Safety concerns regarding solar panels and power line workers
0:13:05 – Texas energy mix: wind, solar, and natural gas balance
0:14:06 – Sudden power outages during Texas freeze event
0:16:30 – Potential of small modular nuclear reactors
0:19:35 – Discussion on climate change skepticism and misinformation
0:22:20 – Economic damages of climate change and their uncertainties
0:27:54 – Current global temperature rise and climate projections
0:33:15 – Extreme temperature events and infrastructure challenges
0:38:50 – Human consumption of fossil fuels driving CO2 increase
0:41:26 – Evidence of lower atmosphere warming
0:44:06 – Fundamental physics of CO2 and heat trapping
0:48:40 – Hidden societal costs of fossil fuels
0:51:20 – Growth of renewable energy capacity in the US
0:55:23 – China's dominance in battery supply chains
1:00:29 – Electric vehicle performance and accessibility discussion
1:03:26 – Multi-decadal challenge of decarbonizing energy systems
1:04:14 – Coal's high greenhouse gas emissions per energy unit
1:06:15 – Pollution hotspots and health impacts in North America
1:10:49 – Regulations restricting drilling in city limits
1:13:28 – Political motivations affecting climate policy decisions
1:16:55 – Environmental justice and pollution in poor communities
1:19:58 – Oil price volatility and economic implications
1:22:39 – Climate policies in the Build Back Better plan
1:24:43 – Impact of gerrymandering on political climate action
1:27:21 – Global supply chains for solar panels and batteries
1:33:06 – Carbon cycle: half of added carbon not staying in atmosphere
1:36:45 – Natural gas price surge in Europe due to supply issues
1:40:57 – Challenges in plastic recycling and waste management
1:43:27 – Health risks of BPA plastics and environmental toxins
1:46:06 – Clear paths to solving energy-related climate problems
1:50:44 – Sustainable agriculture and soil health
1:54:28 – Concerns about future climate impacts on next generations
2:01:40 – Importance of peer-reviewed science in climate debates
2:06:15 – Health effects of particulate matter from coal power plants

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out. Starting point is 00:00:24 I'm the director of the Texas Center for Climate Studies. I've been studying climate and the atmosphere for about 30 years. Starting point is 00:01:16 clear that smoking is bad for you. And then the scientists started showing up and saying, no, Starting point is 00:01:46 Yeah. Starting point is 00:02:33 this is from 1989, and I think, is it going to show up there? Yes. So this is a quote from Starting point is 00:02:57 It comes and goes. Starting point is 00:03:26 States alone, and much of this equipment will have to be replaced or modified to work well. Starting point is 00:03:52 We replaced them and none of that happened. Starting point is 00:04:32 And that eliminating fossil fuels will be devastating to those environments because these people are going to lose out on massive amounts of income. Starting point is 00:05:02 If we go to slide 33, this actually shows that. Starting point is 00:05:46 get with solar? Oh, wow. That's a great question. And I guess we'll just sort of let the conversation Starting point is 00:06:17 Everybody knows that. Starting point is 00:06:59 I mean, some days in Texas, it's half our power. Starting point is 00:07:20 And you need some dispatchable power. Starting point is 00:07:45 Wind and solar are very cheap at this point. Starting point is 00:08:23 No, they really don't. Starting point is 00:08:48 You just need some sort of dispatchable power to balance the renewable. Starting point is 00:09:10 which is a few hours later. Starting point is 00:09:24 that are housed don't have batteries. I think I don't, I actually don't know the statistics. I think most people who have solar panels in their houses don't have batteries. Starting point is 00:09:42 And the reason to do that is for safety of the power line workers. They don't want, if the power line workers think there's no power Starting point is 00:10:18 If you you certainly could do that. Starting poi...

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Andrew Dessler was the guest on JRE #1777. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

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On Joe Rogan Experience #1777 with Andrew Dessler, topics include Climate Science, Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuels, and Nuclear Power.

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