Unveiling the Astonishing Story of Climate Science Denial: The Parrot and the Igloo with David Lipsky
In a recent episode of the Science Salon podcast, best-selling author David Lipsky discussed his latest book, “The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial.” Lipsky delves into the long and complex history of climate science, from the early days of Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla to the modern-day battle against climate denial.
Lipsky highlights the key figures in the climate science narrative, including scientists like Roger Revelle, Charles Keeling, James Hansen, and Michael Mann, who first sounded the alarm about the impact of carbon dioxide on our warming planet. He also explores the role of hucksters, zealots, and crackpots who spread misinformation and misled the public about the reality of climate change.
The book traces the evolution of climate denial, revealing how it grew out of early efforts to distort the truth about products like aspirin and cigarettes. Lipsky paints a vivid picture of the heroes and villains in the climate change debate, showcasing the extraordinary dance of science, money, and the American character.
During the podcast episode, Lipsky and host Michael Shermer discuss a range of topics, including the consensus among scientists about the reality and human causes of global warming, the politicization of climate change, and the strategies of global warming skeptics. They also address the connection between the tobacco industry’s tactics and climate change denial, as well as the challenges of addressing climate change as a collective action problem.
One key point of discussion is the 97% consensus among scientists that climate change is real and human-caused. Lipsky and Shermer reference a study that examined over 11,000 climate paper abstracts and found that 97.1% of them concluded that climate change is a result of human activity. The remaining three percent of papers that rejected this consensus were found to have methodological flaws and lacked a cohesive alternative theory.
Overall, “The Parrot and the Igloo” offers a compelling and informative look at the history of climate science and the ongoing battle against climate denial. Lipsky’s thorough research and engaging storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the climate change debate.
The podcast episode featuring David Lipsky was released on July 27, 2024, and is available for streaming on the Science Salon website.