Summary of #11 - Steven Milloy on junk climate science

00:00:00 - 00:40:00

In this YouTube video, Steven Milloy discusses his skepticism about climate change and criticizes the tactics used by environmentalists. He talks about his experience with a bogus survey on natural resource damages and highlights that bad weather does not prove a climate crisis. Milloy also criticizes the allocation of funds in the Inflation Reduction Act and expresses disappointment with the Supreme Court's ruling on CO2. He discusses extreme measures and ideologies of climate activists, challenges the feasibility of achieving net-zero emissions, and mentions the situation in Canada with armed climate police. The conversation then shifts to Europe's reliance on wind and solar energy and the potential consequences. Milloy also touches on the energy supply situation in the US and criticizes the lack of proper planning. Other topics covered include the 2022 US election, politicians' lack of knowledge about the environment, and the need for a leader who can fix the country's problems. Milloy discusses the use of terms like "hoax" and "scam" in relation to climate change and the role of social media in fighting back against climate misinformation. He expresses frustration but also determination to debunk climate science misinformation. Milloy criticizes President Biden's policies and discusses the potential of American LNG helping Europe. He also talks about the obstacles to building new nuclear power plants in the US and the influence of fear and incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. The speaker mentions the difficulties of reaching scientists for interviews and the possibility of writing more books in the future.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Steven Milloy, known for his work on environmental issues and running junkscience.com, discusses his skepticism about climate change and the tactics used by environmentalists to push their narrative. He highlights how he was initially introduced to the issue when working on a regulatory case involving General Motors and a bogus survey on natural resource damages. Milloy points out that while some may genuinely believe in the climate crisis, many prominent figures have access to the internet and can verify or debunk claims, but choose not to engage in debates. He emphasizes that bad weather is not evidence of a climate crisis and that politicians often use weather events to support their narrative. He also mentions the example of flooding in Pakistan and how it is attributed to climate change despite research showing declining precipitation trends in the region. Milloy concludes by stating that despite attempts to shout down skeptics, public concern about climate change has not significantly changed.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Steven Milloy discusses the allocation of funds in the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $369 billion for wind, solar, and environmental justice initiatives. He compares this to the Solyndra scandal under the Obama administration and predicts that this massive spending will result in even greater reliance on fossil fuels and increased emissions in the future. Milloy also expresses his disappointment with the Supreme Court's ruling that CO2 is not a pollutant, highlighting the negative impact it had on coal miners and their communities. He criticizes the bureaucrats involved in these decisions and accuses them of prioritizing their agenda over the welfare of the people they affect. Additionally, Milloy briefly mentions the situation in Canada with the armed climate police and the construction of a compound in Winnipeg, indicating that he has seen some reports on the matter.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Steven Milloy discusses the extreme measures and ideologies of climate activists, stating that their actions and policies do not benefit or improve people's lives. He highlights an example from Bernie Sanders' campaign where he suggested putting climate skeptics in jail. The conversation then turns to the Netherlands' efforts to reduce agricultural emissions by cutting fertilizer use, which Milloy argues is essential for feeding the world's growing population. He criticizes the anti-fertilizer activism, pointing out the negative consequences seen in places like Shrimp's Real August. Milloy also expresses skepticism towards ESG (environmental, social, and governance) scores, referring to them as a leftist scheme to impose standards on businesses outside of democratic processes. He further challenges the feasibility of achieving net-zero emissions, explaining that every aspect of human activity depends on fossil fuels. Milloy concludes that although there is an aggressive push for net-zero, it is an unattainable goal and will only cause unnecessary pain and disruptions. The motivation behind Sri Lanka's ban on chemical fertilizers is discussed, with Milloy suggesting it may be due to the ignorance of some decision-makers. He also mentions a history of environmentalists suppressing the third world, citing the case of DDT where banning it had severe consequences on public health in developing nations.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the conversation revolves around the energy supply in Europe and the potential consequences of relying heavily on wind and solar energy. It is mentioned that since the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, Europe has been dismantling its coal and gas plants in favor of renewable energy sources. However, this shift has made them more vulnerable to external factors, such as gas prices and political conflicts. The conversation also touches upon the situation in the United States, particularly in California, where rolling blackouts and challenges with charging electric vehicles have been experienced. The lack of proper planning and reliance on inadequate battery technology is seen as potential disasters waiting to happen. The conversation criticizes the decision-makers for not thoroughly thinking through the implications of relying on renewable energy sources. Overall, it highlights the importance of making informed decisions backed by engineering expertise rather than solely focusing on political motivations.
• 00:20:00 In this section, the conversation touches on various topics such as the rolling blackouts in California, food processing plant fires, the 2022 US election, the possibility of Republicans taking control of Congress, the likelihood of election rigging, and the need for a leader who can fix the country's problems. The conversation also mentions the potential for Trump or DeSantis, both climate skeptics, to become president in 2025. It is highlighted that many Republicans criticize Biden for not drilling for more oil and gas while being light on climate issues, which is seen as frustrating. The lack of knowledge among politicians about the environment and the complexities involved is also mentioned as a great frustration.
• 00:25:00 In this section, Steven Milloy discusses the use of the terms "hoax" and "scam" by Republican politicians in relation to climate change. He believes that while the base of these politicians would use these terms more freely, the politicians themselves should also learn to use them because, in his opinion, environmental groups and activists have never said anything true and it is all a pack of lies. He argues that air quality was not a public health issue in the 50s and 60s and that as the air has gotten cleaner, the EPA claims that particulate matter is killing more people. Milloy suggests that social media is a great way for ordinary people to fight back against the climate scam by sharing and circulating information that debunks scare stories and challenges the climate narrative.
• 00:30:00 In this section, Steven Milloy expresses his frustration and determination to push back against climate science misinformation. He describes climate change activists as a group of liars and emphasizes the need to debunk their claims. Milloy finds joy in challenging their narratives but also acknowledges the frustration of spending so much time on this issue. He believes that despite the many institutions supporting the climate change narrative, they struggle to make significant progress, as people are not willing to prioritize climate action or pay for it. Milloy also criticizes President Biden's policies, stating that they are anti-fossil fuel and will only make gas prices more expensive. He discusses the potential of American LNG helping Europe with its energy crisis, but questions the necessity of shipping it there instead of keeping it in the US. Milloy also highlights the influence of Putin and environmental groups in Europe's decision not to frack. He concludes by stating that the US has ample supplies of coal and should not solely rely on one fuel source.
• 00:35:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the political obstacles to building new nuclear power plants in the US, stating that the government and the fear of another Chernobyl are the biggest hang-ups. He criticizes the corporate management of the nuclear power industry for not adequately defending themselves against the exaggerated risks of radiation and instead embracing the concept of global warming. The speaker believes that people's fear of radiation, fueled by incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, has hindered the potential for a nuclear renaissance. He also touches on why fossil fuel companies in the US are not pushing back harder against climate change initiatives, speculating that they may be influenced by misguided beliefs or a lack of understanding about the safety of nuclear power.
• 00:40:00 In this section, Steven Milloy discusses the difficulties of reaching scientists for interviews, as some of them preemptively block him on social media. He mentions the possibility of writing more books in the future, acknowledging that while many people prefer online content, there is still a significant audience for audiobooks. Milloy shares that his most recent book, "Scare Pollution," delves into the EPA's alleged corruption and the impact it had on the coal industry. The interviewer expresses gratitude for Milloy's time and invites him back for another discussion. Milloy agrees, indicating that he would be open to returning anytime.