Summary of Ian Plimer: Alarmist climate “science” is not science | Tom Nelson Pod #149

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

In this YouTube video titled "Ian Plimer: Alarmist climate 'science' is not science | Tom Nelson Pod #149," Ian Plimer discusses various aspects related to climate change and challenges the prevailing narrative. He emphasizes the importance of geological knowledge in understanding climate change and sea level fluctuations. Plimer criticizes climate scientists for lacking geological perspective and suggests that their motivations may be driven by job security and research grants. He highlights the importance of education, particularly his books aimed at debunking climate change scare stories for children and teenagers. Plimer questions the moral implications of certain technologies associated with climate change, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, and argues that the current climate change agenda is driven by unelected elites who want power and money. He discusses natural climate cycles, criticizes climate models, and challenges the notion that human emissions of carbon dioxide have a significant impact on climate change. Plimer concludes by stating that solid scientific evidence has not been presented to support the claim that human emissions cause global warming.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses how geologists use the study of rocks to understand climate change and sea level fluctuations. He explains that geologists have been looking at rock sequences and drill cores for decades to determine past sea levels and identify petroleum formation rocks. He also highlights the historical understanding of climate change, tracing back to Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin studying coral atolls in the 19th century. Plimer argues that the alarmist claims of rising sea levels and the destruction of atoll nations are unfounded, citing the numerous studies that have validated the stability and expansion of coral atolls. He emphasizes that geologists have known for over a century that sea levels fluctuate and that climate change has always occurred, with evidence of rapid changes found in ancient rock formations.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Ian Plimer criticizes climate scientists, particularly those who are mathematicians and focus on the physics of the atmosphere, arguing that they lack the geological knowledge and perspective that geologists have developed over centuries. He expresses skepticism towards climate scientists, suggesting that they are simply trying to maintain their jobs and secure research grants. Plimer also discusses his experience writing his "little green books" for different age groups, emphasizing the importance of using humor and relatable topics to engage young readers in understanding scientific concepts.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses his book aimed at teaching children and teenagers about climate change and debunking scare stories related to climate disasters. He highlights the decrease in hurricanes, wildfires, and the cyclical nature of droughts, emphasizing that these natural events are not solely caused by climate change. Plimer also mentions the impact of volcanic eruptions on the weather, specifically the Hunger Tonga eruption in 2022, and how it affected the water in the stratosphere, leading to heavy rainfall and snowfall. He cautions against using the word "unprecedented" when discussing weather events and explains that the appearance of life on Earth is the only truly unprecedented event in the planet's history. Additionally, he states that we are currently living in an ice age that started 34 million years ago, with periods of glaciation and interglacial periods.
• 00:15:00 In this section of the video, Ian Plimer discusses how climate has naturally fluctuated throughout history, using humor to illustrate his point. He mentions the correlation between witch killing and temperature during the Little Ice Age, suggesting that there is a lack of logic in some of the claims made about climate change. Plimer also emphasizes that the present period is relatively stable compared to past periods of mass extinctions and ice ages. He argues that carbon dioxide is not a poison but rather a necessary component for plant growth, jokingly suggesting that one could kiss someone exhaling a higher percentage of carbon dioxide without harm. Plimer then shifts the focus to the moral aspect of energy consumption, questioning why Western teenagers should enjoy the luxuries of refrigeration, heating, and electricity while many children around the world lack these basic necessities. He encourages pushing for cheap, reliable electricity for those in need and highlights the dangerous working conditions for children in the mining industry.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses the moral implications of using certain technologies and products associated with climate change. He raises questions about the use of electric vehicles, emphasizing that the production of the materials necessary for these vehicles often comes at a cost, including the exploitation of child labor. Plimer also questions the environmental impact of wind turbines and solar panels, pointing out the toxic chemicals they release into the environment. He argues that we need to consider the consequences of our actions and whether they align with our moral values. Plimer suggests that children today are being taught misleading information about climate change, encouraging them to write essays that conform to what their teachers want to hear rather than seeking the truth. He believes that his trilogy of books aim to educate children and challenge the prevailing narrative.
• 00:25:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses his coverage in the press, stating that he is often portrayed as anti-science and receives very little positive coverage. However, he notes that he doesn't rely on media promotion as his books are bestsellers and are shared amongst readers. Plimer mentions the attacks he has faced, including accusations of fraud, but sees them as amusing and not affecting his work. When asked about the progress of the climate debate, Plimer argues that there has never been a real debate between scientists on both sides. However, he believes that people are starting to question the narrative due to the rising costs they are experiencing, such as higher gasoline prices and electricity bills. Plimer suggests that the climate change agenda is driven by unelected elites who want power and to take people's money, and that the movement has nothing to do with science. He points out that the push for renewable energy is primarily fueled by ongoing subsidies. Plimer sees a slow change in public perception, with people realizing the financial burden they are facing. He believes that pocketbook issues, rather than scientific arguments, will ultimately drive public opinion.
• 00:30:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses the idea that climate change alarmism is a means of control, suggesting that it is a tactic to keep people confined and compliant. He highlights the impracticality of concepts like the "15-minute City" in Australia due to the country's large size and dispersed population. Plimer argues that no one has ever proven that human emissions of carbon dioxide drive global warming, as only three percent of emissions are attributed to humans. He asserts that the entire basis of the climate change scare campaign rests on unproven assumptions. Plimer criticizes the impact of these scare campaigns on public policies, alternative energy solutions, and industries such as coal-fired power stations and agriculture. He concludes by stating that there is a need to recognize that no solid scientific evidence has been presented to support the claim that human emissions cause global warming, which should influence the need for costly adjustments in energy use and industry practices. In the following section, Plimer explains how natural climate cycles can provide insight into climate changes and mentions specific cycles, such as the hundred thousand and sixty-year cycles, that affect climate variability.
• 00:35:00 In this section of the video, Ian Plimer discusses various natural cycles that influence climate, such as lunar tidal cycles, Arctic cycles, and solar cycles. He argues that these cycles have a stronger influence on climate than human activities, including carbon dioxide emissions. Plimer also criticizes climate models, stating that they are based on the assumption that carbon dioxide drives climate change, but fails to accurately predict temperature measurements. He believes that predicting the future and understanding complex climate processes is challenging due to the unknown factors at play. Plimer questions whether we truly understand the carbon cycle and its interactions with the climate.
• 00:40:00 In this section, Ian Plimer argues that humans play only a small role in the carbon cycle and that the cycle is much more complex than commonly understood. He suggests that the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere originally came from the Earth's mantle and has been cycled through various processes, including algal blooms in the oceans. Plimer questions the notion that human emissions of carbon dioxide have a significant impact on climate change, stating that it is just one molecule among many in the atmosphere. He also discusses the residence time of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, suggesting that it could be as short as five to ten years due to uptake by plants and chemical processes in the oceans. Overall, he challenges the prevailing narrative about the influence of human activity on the carbon cycle and climate change.
• 00:45:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses the scientific debates surrounding the perception of human-induced climate change. He mentions the need to persuade people that molecules emitted by human activity stay in the atmosphere for a long time, as well as the argument that carbon dioxide emitted from the oceans does not have the same long-lasting effect. Plimer also acknowledges that humans can manipulate weather through activities such as land clearing and cloud seeding, which has been practiced for several decades in various countries. He notes the military and agricultural reasons behind these weather modification efforts. When asked about scientists he enjoys reading, Plimer mentions that he reads widely and stays updated with scientific literature, particularly focusing on stable isotope work and research related to tectonic cycles, volcanic activity, and climate change. He considers himself a polymath and acknowledges the challenge of keeping up with the vast amount of scientific material being published.
• 00:50:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses the potential implications of geologic and volcanic heat on ocean temperatures and climate. He mentions that swarms of Earth Tremors on the mid-ocean ridge can cause a warming of the oceans, which in turn affects the El Niño-La Niña cycle. Plimer also discusses the role of volcanic rocks, such as andesite and basalt, in releasing gases like carbon dioxide into the ocean waters during eruptions. He emphasizes that there is still much to be explored and understood about submarine volcanoes and their impact on climate change. Additionally, Plimer highlights that while the sun is a major source of heat for Earth, a significant amount of cooling also takes place through the oceans, suggesting that further research is needed to better understand the heat dynamics of the planet.
• 00:55:00 In this section, Ian Plimer discusses the impact of the Hunga Tonga eruption and the water that has been blasted into the stratosphere. He explains that this excess water will eventually come back to Earth, resulting in increased rainfall and snowfall. Plimer also mentions that water vapor, not carbon dioxide, is the main greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and therefore has a significant effect on warming. Furthermore, he acknowledges the cooling effect of particulate matter from volcanic eruptions but emphasizes the difficulty in calculating the balance between cooling and heating effects. Plimer concludes by stating that true scientists are always curious and open to further investigation, whereas those who claim the science is settled have a political agenda.