Episode 28: Climate models

This podcast episode explores various aspects of climate change, including the decline of climate change deniers, the significance of 2023 being the hottest year on record, the role of El Nino, and the concept of the greenhouse effect and its implications on global temperatures. The speakers delve into the complexities of climate sensitivity, discussing the range of estimates and the factors that influence it. They emphasize the importance of understanding the interactions between positive and negative feedback loops in shaping the planet's response to warming. The podcast also examines the challenges of predicting human behavior and its impact on climate modeling, highlighting the difficulties of forecasting future outcomes. Despite the challenges, the speakers discuss the accuracy of climate models, particularly their ability to predict global warming over the past five decades. They conclude by discussing the potential impacts of climate change and arguing that it is not an existential risk to humanity, but nevertheless poses significant negative consequences that require attention and mitigation.