Topic: Gigatons

Reports indicate that Alaska's glaciers are losing 75 billion tons of ice annually, contributing to an eight-inch rise in sea levels over the last century. A heated exchange between Rick Perry and Al Franken focuses on the validity of the 97% consensus figure, with Perry calling it "bogus." The discussion also touches on Pope Francis's support for climate action, with Franken questioning why religious skeptics don't show more humility toward the Pope's position.

The hosts analyze the financial implications of the "carbon budget," which aims to limit total emissions to 750 gigatons. They calculate that a proposed carbon price of $22 per ton could result in a $2.2 trillion global tax. They argue that "putting a price on carbon" is a fictional numbers game that will ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher energy costs.