Summary of Arthur Viterito:”I think the temperatures are going to cool down” | Tom Nelson Pod #175

00:00:00 - 00:50:00

Art Viterito is a retired professor of physical geography who discusses his theory that geothermal heat is the driving force behind global warming. Viterito argues that the role of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas has been ignored in favor of focusing solely on temperatures. He references large amounts of geothermal heat that are found in the mid-ocean spreading zones and ridsges, as well as hydrothermal vents and volcanic activity, which can cause significant changes to deep ocean circulation. Viterito also emphasizes the importance of hydrothermal systems for convection on the ocean floor and their role in the thermohaline circulation. He believes that an increase in the convection on the ocean floor could strengthen the thermohaline circulation, leading to profound effects on global climate and energy systems.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Arthur Viterito, a retired professor of physical geography, discusses his hypothesis known as the geothermal paradox, which he believes is the driving force behind the most recent warming seen since the mid-90s. He argues that geothermal heat has been overlooked and ignored in favor of the role of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, but geothermal heat is actually found in large amounts in the middle of the world's oceans in areas called mid-ocean spreading zones and ridges. He also discusses the hydrothermal vents and volcanic activity found in these areas, which can cause significant changes to deep ocean circulation.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the video, the speaker, Arthur Viterito, discusses the significance of geothermal heat and its impact on the Earth's climate. He highlights the fact that although average temperatures at the surface may not seem sufficient to make a noticeable difference, geothermal heat is still able to move plates and play a major role in shaping the world's geography. The speaker also goes into the use of proxies to measure the amount of geothermal heat that comes up from seafloor vents and volcanoes, and how high seismic activity in these areas is correlated with increased hydrothermal heat. He also emphasizes the importance of hydrothermal systems for convection on the ocean floor and their role in the thermohaline circulation, often referred to as the meridional overturning circulation. The speaker concludes by highlighting the potential GameChanger of increasing the convection on the ocean floor, explaining that it could enable geothermal heating to enhance the ocean's ability to transfer heat, and alter the intensity of the thermal haline circulation. This could, in turn, have profound effects on the Earth's climate and energy systems.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the transcript, Arthur Viterito discusses the concept of upwelling and downwelling in the ocean system. Upwelling refers to the movement of surface water into the system through the North Atlantic, which is experienced around Antarctica. On the other hand, downwelling describes the movement of water downward, which occurs around Iceland. The impact of geothermal heating on the ocean dynamic and deep budget is highlighted. Studies suggest that the destabilizing geothermal heat flux promotes a more vigorous full-depth overturning, making the rate of ocean overturning 10% greater. This enhances or intensifies the overturning of water in the ocean, which is crucial to the regulation of the Earth's climate.
• 00:15:00 In this section, Arthur Viterito discusses the correlation between seismic activity and global temperatures, as shown by data from the GCMT catalog and satellite temperature data. Viterito notes that there has been atwo-year offset between the two data sets, but once this offset is accounted for, the correlation between them is extremely strong, with a correlation coefficient of 0.74 and a probability value of one in 100 millionth of a percent. Viterito also points out that the majority of global warming occurs in the north polar region, referred to as the Arctic amplification, which skews the temperature distribution towards the north.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Arthur Viterito discusses his thesis that there are two choke points in the thermohaline circulation system that control the flow of warm and cold water in the Northern Hemisphere. These choke points are located in the Western Pacific and the North Atlantic. Viterito argues that the intensified thermal haline circulation, particularly since 1995, has significantly impacted temperatures and geophysical phenomena in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Viterito provides evidence of an abrupt shift in the Atlantic multi-decadal oscillator (AMO) in 1995, which led to warmer North Atlantic temperatures and changes in the phytoplankton population in the Arctic. He also cites satellite-derived Altimetry data, which reveals an increase in North Atlantic current surface velocities over the last 24 years.
• 00:25:00 In this section of the video, the speaker discusses recent changes in the North Atlantic climate. He points out a sudden jump in the intensity and frequency of hurricanes in the region during the early 1950s and 1960s, which he attributes to the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation. The speaker also highlights changes in cloud cover over Greenland, thermal anomalies in the Hudson Bay, and the rapid warming of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre, which started in 1995. He notes that these changes may be linked to the thermohaline flow, which has the potential to intensify the flow of water from the South Atlantic into the North Atlantic, carrying more heat and mass with it. The speaker also discusses the formation of the Western Pacific warm pool and the potential impact of elino events on the region.
• 00:30:00 The section of the YouTube video starting at 65 minutes shows a comparison of temperature and heat content in the Western Pacific warm pool, which is the top image. It highlights that the temperature and heat content of the warm pool had significantly increased since 1993, and that the area of the warm pool had intensified and flowed more powerfully in the Pacific. The thermohaline also jumped abruptly around 1995, leading to a thermocline depth difference of 30 feet. As a result, the warmer waters covered a larger area and led to an increase in the size and intensity of the El Niño event. The section also reports that the C current and the Kuroshio extension in the western Pacific warm pool are warming two to three times faster than other areas of the ocean. An enhanced thermohaline flow is resulting in a growing Western Pacific warm pool, increased intensity of the El Niño, and rising temperatures in the Pacific.
• 00:35:00 In this section of the transcript excerpt of the YouTube video "Arthur Viterito: "I think the temperatures are going to cool down" | Tom Nelson Pod #175, the speaker discusses the phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This refers to the warming of the Arctic Ocean due to the incursion of Atlantic Waters and the resulting intensification of the thermo haline circulation. The speaker goes into detail about this process and its effects on the Earth's climate, including the impact on the Pacific Basin and global temperatures. The speaker also discusses some of the criticism and challenges raised against this hypothesis, but affirms the support from modeling evidence and empirical data.
• 00:40:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the complex nature of climate science and the need for an integrated approach to understanding the global challenge. They argue that science is divided, and scientists from different fields play their own specialties. However, the science is interdependent and requires a comprehensive understanding of various components to determine the truth. The speaker also highlights the issue of censorship in the climate sciences, which hinders scientific progress and discovery.
• 00:45:00 In this section of the video, Arthur Viterito discusses the peer review process in science and his concerns about the suppression of skepticism and questioning of scientific findings. Viterito argues that this "anti-science" approach is harmful and leads to poor decision-making. He suggests that scientists must regain their independence and focus on finding the truth, rather than following established narratives. Viterito also discusses his own research on the seismic signal and the 60-year cycle in global temperatures, as well as other scientists' work in the field. He calls for collaboration and the sharing of knowledge to better understand and predict future trends in science and the environment.
• 00:50:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Tom Nelson discusses his interest in collaborating with Emeritus Professor Arthur Viterito from the University of Hong Kong to develop a comprehensive model of underwater volcanic eruptions and their impact on ocean warming. Nelson mentions that Viterito has been researching these hotspots, which he refers to as "blobs," in the Pacific Ocean and has tied them to various ocean warming events. Nelson expresses his desire to learn more about Viterito's work and asks if there's a link to his most recent presentation on this topic. Overall, Nelson appears enthusiastic about the potential for collaboration and is eager to explore the impact of underwater volcanic eruptions on ocean warming.