Climate Science: Crash Course History of Science #45 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Climate science has evolved over time, from conservative skepticism to recognition of human impact; the Anthropocene is a proposed era that marks significant changes caused by humans.

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🔬 Scientists initially resisted the idea of climate change due to conservatism and the structure of modern science.
• 🍉 The Anthropocene is a contested term, with alternative names proposed to reflect different perspectives on human impact.
• 😀 Climate science faces epistemic, technical, and moral questions in addressing the challenges of the Capitalocene.
• ⛽ The pushback against climate change is influenced by the lobbying efforts of fossil fuel companies.
• 🧔 Science alone cannot answer the complex questions of how to address climate disruption and who should bear the cost.
• 👎 The history of science and technology is deeply political, involving the choice to make or bury knowledge.

Transcript

This image is called the Blue Marble, and it was taken in 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission. It has become a symbol not only of cool space travel, but the environmental movement back here on the ground. Think about it: when you’re on the earth, it seems pretty dang big and solid. But seen from far above, it’s just a blue marble flecked with beautif... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did climate science evolve over time?

Climate science initially faced challenges due to the specialization of scientific studies. However, with the work of scientists like Guy Callendar and Charles Keeling, the evidence for climate change gradually became more accepted.

Q: What is the significance of the term "Anthropocene"?

The Anthropocene refers to the era in which human activities have had a profound impact on the planet. It highlights the need to address the consequences of human actions on natural ecosystems.

Q: What are some possible golden spikes of the Anthropocene?

There are multiple candidates for the golden spike of the Anthropocene, including coal, strontium-90, plastic, steel, concrete, and high amounts of chicken bones as the most common terrestrial vertebrate species.

Q: How has climate denial become a significant issue?

Climate denial originated from the strategies used by fossil fuel companies to create doubt about climate science, similar to what was done by tobacco companies. This has led to misconceptions and a perceived lack of consensus on climate change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Scientists were initially conservative about the end of the living world but gradually recognized the impact of human activities on climate change.

• The Anthropocene, or the Age of Man, emerged as a term to describe the era in which humans have significantly affected the planet.

• Different candidates, such as coal, strontium-90, plastic, concrete, and chicken bones, represent the beginning of the Anthropocene.