Topic: Climate Consensus

Rihanna Gun-Wright, policy director for New Consensus and an ally of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claimed on CNN that the difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees of warming represents "25 Holocausts" in terms of human deaths. The hosts mock the use of this extreme metric and the framing of climate change as the primary driver of all other social issues.

Australian geologist Ian Plimer challenges the widely cited statistic that 97% of scientists agree on human-driven climate change. Plimer traces the number back to a University of Queensland survey where, out of thousands of respondents, only 77 were specifically selected for the final metric, and 75 of those agreed with the consensus. He argues the figure is a result of statistical manipulation rather than a broad scientific survey.

The BBC has issued internal guidance to staff to avoid giving "equal airtime" to climate change deniers, comparing the scientific consensus to the factual result of a football match. Critics argue this policy suppresses legitimate scientific dissent and ignores the complexities of computer modeling. The segment disputes the "97% consensus" figure, suggesting it is a manufactured statistic used to marginalize opposing viewpoints.

The hosts challenge the notion of a total scientific consensus on climate change, citing a letter signed by 30,000 dissenting scientists. They revisit a 1989 Reuters report where a UN official predicted that entire nations would be wiped out by the year 2000 if global warming was not reversed. The reliance on computer simulations for long-term environmental forecasting is criticized as unreliable.

John C. Dvorak takes an online global warming survey from KQED/PBS. Based on his answers—that warming is natural and not a personal threat—he is categorized as a "Dismissive." The hosts argue that "consensus is not science" and criticize the survey for using leading questions to pigeonhole skeptics as "born-again Christians" or "conservative males."

Dr. Judith Curry discusses her resignation from academia during an interview with Tucker Carlson, alleging that research funding is exclusively directed toward human-caused climate change studies. She argues that natural climate variability is under-researched and that she has been vilified by activist colleagues for challenging the dominant narrative. Curry addresses the "98% consensus" claim, stating she technically falls within it despite disagreeing on the degree of human impact.

The hosts critique comedian John Oliver for his inconsistent use of statistics. They contrast his insistence on the "97% consensus" regarding climate change with his mockery of Donald Trump's claim that 98% of students liked Trump University. The segment highlights the perceived smugness of late-night talk show hosts.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson sparked discussion by quoting Galileo to argue that scientific truth is not determined by consensus or the "authority of a thousand." Tyson expressed dissatisfaction with the "97% of scientists agree" talking point regarding climate change, suggesting that the focus should instead be on the results of experiments and observations. This perspective is seen as a departure from his usual stance, emphasizing that individual reasoning and data should outweigh collective agreement in science.

President Obama speaks at the COP21 summit, claiming a "global consensus" on climate change. The hosts notice that the frequently cited "97% of scientists" figure has been inflated by Obama to "99.5%." They comment on the President's low energy and "defeated" demeanor during his address to world leaders.

CNN meteorologist Chad Myers addressed the "97% consensus" on climate change, clarifying that the number only applies to a specific subset of climate scientists who authored papers on the subject. The original 2013 study by John Cook found that two-thirds of 12,000 studies took no position at all. The hosts argue the statistic is used to program the public through misleading analogies about rain and umbrellas.

Secretary of State John Kerry continues to cite a "97% to 99%" scientific consensus on climate change, calling it a "dire necessity." Meanwhile, a Senate hearing featuring Emeritus Professor Dr. Botkin was marked by aggressive questioning from Senators Whitehouse and Markey. The "97%" figure is mocked as a political tool used to silence dissenting scientific voices.

George Clooney is criticized for using a "99% of doctors" metaphor to argue for climate change action. The hosts reference Michael Crichton's book State of Fear and argue that scientific consensus is often wrong, citing examples of lone physicists who were vindicated decades later. They assert that science is never truly "settled."

The *Skeptics' Guide to the Universe* podcast is criticized for promoting the idea that non-experts should "shut up" and defer entirely to scientific consensus. This stance is challenged by pointing to the founder of The Weather Channel, who has publicly questioned mainstream climate change narratives. The debate centers on whether "consensus" is being used to silence legitimate scientific inquiry.

During a press conference, President Obama stated that scientific consensus should not be the sole factor in determining policy, specifically in the context of stem cell research. The hosts suggest this admission could be used to challenge the administration's stance on climate change. They argue that if consensus is not enough for one scientific issue, it should not be the definitive authority for others.

An analysis by the Business and Media Institute suggests that network news stories overwhelmingly promote global warming hysteria while ignoring alternative scientific opinions. The discussion posits that many scientists remain quiet about their skepticism to avoid losing research funding. The media is accused of using "polar bear footage" to drive a narrative of impending doom.