6 chapters across the catalog
The term "frontline communities" is being used by organizations like EcoTrust to describe low-income neighborhoods and communities of color most affected by climate change. Critics argue that this framing leverages environmental issues to push agendas related to race and gender. The discussion questions the universal nature of climate impacts versus this specific sociological targeting.
Barack Obama Criticism of Donald Trump and Global Leadership
President Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump's fitness for office, emphasizing that the presidency is a "hard job" requiring knowledge of world geography and history. Obama expressed concern over the Republican field's stance on climate change and the responsibility of holding the nuclear codes. The hosts contrast Obama's background as a community organizer with Trump's business experience.
Leonardo DiCaprio and the "Chinook" Climate Change Claim
Leonardo DiCaprio claimed on "Charlie Rose" that he experienced the effects of climate change firsthand while filming in Canada when the weather suddenly warmed. The hosts point out that DiCaprio likely experienced a "Chinook," a common meteorological phenomenon in the region, rather than global warming. They criticize his claim that 99% of the scientific community agrees on the imminent threat of climate change.
National Security Advisor Susan Rice is criticized for her "cliché-ridden" rhetoric regarding climate change as a national security threat. The hosts also discuss comments from UN climate official Cristiana Figueres, who stated the goal is to change the global economic development model that has existed since the Industrial Revolution. They interpret these statements as a push toward international wealth redistribution or communism.
IPCC Bell Tower Analogy and Multi-Dimensional Viewpoints
Christopher Field uses a "bell tower" analogy to describe the IPCC's role, claiming it provides a height from which to view alternative futures rather than ringing a bell to motivate action. He discusses moving away from "linear deterministic" views of climate impacts toward "multi-dimensional" viewpoints. The hosts mock this phrasing as "Silicon Valley" talk and reiterate that the complexity is used to justify more research.
The discussion focuses on the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and its influence on public perception. Sander van der Linden's research is highlighted as a method of using social psychology to frame climate skepticism as a psychological defect. The hosts argue that the "90% certainty" of human-induced warming is a rhetorical tool rather than empirical proof.
