Summary of Will Happer: CO2, the Gas of Life | Tom Nelson Pod #158

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

Will Happer, in this section of the YouTube video, discusses the benefits of CO2 and its role in plant photosynthesis. He explains that increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere allow plants to close their stomata, reducing water loss while maximizing the production of carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Happer also highlights the positive impact of CO2 on the greening of the Earth, as plants are now able to thrive in previously inhospitable areas. He then criticizes the misconceptions surrounding CO2, including its classification as a pollutant and the fear-mongering propagated by certain groups. Happer argues that these misconceptions can have negative consequences and calls for a more balanced and scientific approach to understanding the role of CO2 in our environment.

00:00:00 In this section, Will Harper discusses his views on the climate crisis and the importance of avoiding groupthink. He argues that the focus on reducing CO2 emissions is misguided and that the actions being taken to address climate change are worse than the alleged problem. Harper also recommends the book "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds" by Charles Mackay, which he believes provides valuable insights into human societies going mad from time to time.
00:05:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the irrational behavior of humans when it comes to climate change. He argues that many people are fixated on the idea of saving the planet by using solar panels and wind turbines, despite the fact that this actually does more harm than good. The speaker claims that the science of Earth's climate does not support this belief, and that CO2, far from being a pollutant, is actually beneficial to life on Earth. The speaker goes on to discuss his own professional background and the mistake he made in estimating that doubling CO2 would increase Earth's temperature by about 3 degrees Kelvin. He admits that at the time, it was groupthink and he failed to protest, as he was working on something he thought was more important. However, he now regrets this and urges people to listen to the science and stop this "folly" as soon as possible.
00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Will Happer discusses his experience at a meeting regarding the use of lasers to defend against missiles. He explains how the laser beam can be broken up by cold and warm air patches in the atmosphere, causing it to scatter and do no damage to the missile. However, an astronomer can measure these deformations and correct for them by deforming an observing mirror, resulting in a sharp image of a star. Happer then proceeds to describe how he developed the idea of creating an artificial star using a sodium laser to correct the deformation of the atmosphere.
00:15:00 In this section, Will Happer discusses the concept of temperature decrease and its role in understanding greenhouse gases. He explains that the temperature lapse rate, which is the temperature decrease with altitude, varies due to the proximity of air masses to oceans or moist ground, and the amount of convection above a certain altitude. Happer also points out that the Earth is primarily heated by sunlight, and we get rid of heat by radiating long-wavelength thermal radiation into space. He compares this process to radiators that emit infrared radiation, which can be seen glowing red.
00:20:00 In this section, Will Happer discusses long wave radiation and its role in cooling the Earth. He shows the spectrum of thermal radiation from the Earth to space and explains how greenhouse gases affect this radiation. According to Happer, CO2 decreases radiation to space compared to neighboring frequencies over most of the earth, but over Antarctica, CO2 increases radiation to space and is a global cooling gas. Happer claims that these calculations are accurate because they match the observed radiation fluxes from satellites.
00:25:00 in this section, the speaker discusses the equation of transfer used for calculating radiation and heat transfer in the Earth's atmosphere. The equation is originally from early days of astrophysics and is based on understanding how radiation is transferred from the center of a star, where thermonuclear reactions occur, to the surface and into space. The calculation involves solving for the rate of change of intensity with altitude (C), which is affected by factors such as attenuation by greenhouse gases or particles, and the direction of radiation. While the equation is complex, the speaker notes that they know how to efficiently and accurately calculate it, and that computations are much better than expected results when considering factors such as cloud cover. Finally, the equation involves an integral differential equation, which is difficult to solve, but the implications of this are less significant when accounting for clear skies.
00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Will Happer explains the concept of attenuation of different heat-trapping gases in the Earth's atmosphere, including water vapor, CO2, ozone, nitrous oxide, and methane. The attenuation of these gases is calculated by taking into account their individual absorption lines and their electrical conductivity. Additionally, the measurement of attenuation is done at different altitudes to take into account how the strength of the absorption cross-sections changes with altitude. Happer also mentions the importance of plant curves, which represent the absorption of heat by plants, and the Schwarzschild curve, which includes the total effect of all greenhouse gases on heat attenuation. Finally, Happer talks about the contributions of scientists like Schwarzschild and Planck, who were instrumental in discovering the laws of thermodynamics and developing the Schwarzschild curve.
00:35:00 In this section of the talk, Will Happer discusses the Schwarzschild curve, which represents the amount of radiation the Earth emits to space. He shows that if you double CO2 concentrations, there is only a 1% decrease in radiation to space. Happer also explains that the calculation of greenhouse warming involves calculating the change in flux, which is the temperature difference between the Earth's surface and space, and using that change to calculate a change in temperature. Greenhouse gases affect the Earth's emissivity, which is the ratio of radiation emitted to space to radiation received from space. The emissivity is less than one because of the vertical temperature variation and the presence of greenhouse gases.
00:40:00 In this section, Will Happer discusses the climate change issue and the effect of doubling CO2 on the Earth's temperature. He explains that doubling CO2 only results in a 1% decrease in radiation to space, and the temperature increase has to be a quarter of a percent of the average absolute temperature of the Earth (around 71.2 degrees Celsius) to compensate. The actual increase in temperature will be very small (0.1 degrees Celsius) and won't be perceptible by the human senses. Furthermore, he argues that there is no emergency in the scientific community's response to climate change, as there is no quantitative evidence to support it. Instead, he believes that the scientific community has invoked huge positive feedbacks (production of water vapor, clouds, etc) to increase the predicted warming to three degrees Celsius or more, which is not realistic. Happer emphasizes that CO2 is not a very good greenhouse gas and that it needs some "help" to seem more threatening, which is not natural to the climate system. Finally, he argues that the CO2 effects are already saturated, and no further effort to reduce them will have any significant impact.
00:45:00 In this section of the podcast, Tom Nelson continues his discussion with Will Happer on the topic of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its impact on the environment. The speaker compares current CO2 levels of 400 parts per million (ppm) to twice that amount, 800 ppm, and points out that the CO2 band in the thermal infrared spectrum is "saturated," meaning that adding more CO2 makes little difference to its ability to absorb thermal radiation. The speaker uses the analogy of a barn being painted red, with one coat of paint being sufficient to achieve a full red color. The speaker then moves on to the second issue he wants to address, which is the positive effects of CO2 on agriculture and forestry. The speaker states that plants need less water when there is more CO2 in the atmosphere, and that increased levels of CO2 can improve the photosynthetic efficiency of plants grown in greenhouses. The speaker goes so far as to claim that rubisco, the most abundant protein in the world, is essential for photosynthesis and that it is possible to create an enzyme that could mimic its properties, potentially revolutionizing the field of agriculture.
00:50:00 In this section, Dr. Will Happer discusses the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in plant photosynthesis and the concept of a "Greenhouse Gas" or CO2 as a "Real Greenhouse Gas". Dr. Happer explains that while solar energy is required for photosynthesis, it is not necessary for vent creatures, who require chemical energy instead. For photosynthesizing plants, there is a trade-off problem, as holes in leaves are needed to allow CO2 to diffuse for photosynthesis, but these holes also enable water vapor to escape, which is not desirable. As a result, as the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere arise, plants respond by closing these Leaky stomata (holes in leaves) or opening them less widely. This allows the plants to take advantage of the increased carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis, while minimizing water loss. Dr. Happer also mentions C4 plants (powerhouse of our most important food crops) which are designed to cope with photooxidation (toxicity of oxygen) by keeping oxygen away from photosynthesis, which requires more complex biochemistry and machinery but avoiding oxygen toxicity.
00:55:00 In this section of a YouTube video titled "Will Happer: CO2, the Gas of Life | Tom Nelson Pod #158", the speaker discusses the concept of CO2 and its impact on plant photosynthesis. As CO2 increases, C3 plants, characterized by small pores or stomata, will outcompete C4 plants, characterized by large stomata, for resources such as sunlight, water, and mu onton CO2, the Greening of the Earth. The speaker uses the example of how the Earth is getting greener and deserts are shrinking, as the plants can now survive in areas that were previously too dry. The speaker then transitions to discussing misconceptions surrounding CO2, including the idea that it is a pollutant, political lies and noble lies, and the media's portrayal of it as an impending disaster. He argues that these misconceptions are being perpetuated by those with certain agendas, class origins, and beliefs, which has the potential to harm children and their lives.

01:00:00 - 01:10:00

In this podcast episode entitled "Will Happer: CO2, the Gas of Life | Tom Nelson Pod #158", broadcaster Will Happer discusses a range of topics relating to climate change. He starts by addressing the issue of the suicide of children due to the fear of its impact on their future, arguing that this sense of hopelessness is unfounded as people are pushing towards a more sustainable future. Happer emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging visionaries who challenge the status quo, even if they may face harsh consequences. Next, Happer tackles the topic of so-called experts who deny the role of carbon dioxide in climate change, warning that this attitude poses a significant threat to humanity's future. Happer advocates for increased carbon dioxide emissions and a more environmentally-friendly society, believing it is essential work for the well-being of future generations. He emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and encourages others to join him in the effort.

01:00:00 In this section, broadcaster Will Happer discusses the suicide of children due to the fear of climate change's impact on their future. He argues that the sense of hopelessness is unfounded as people are not Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill, but rather visionaries pushing humanity to a more sustainable future. Happer mentions the story of Ignaz Mo, an early reformer of the Church in Eastern Europe who was burnt at the stake for his beliefs, but was later acknowledged as a symbol of God's work. Happer then moves on to the topic of ignorance, citing the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor who fiercely opposed the Nazi regime during World War II and was eventually executed. Happer suggests that brainwashing and propaganda are often the culprits of these actions, and that people who challenge the status quo may face harsh consequences.
01:05:00 In this section, Will Happer discusses why he thinks it's dangerous to listen to so-called experts who deny the role of carbon dioxide in climate change. He argues that people who claim that global warming is not caused by human activity are misguided and will bring about a disaster. Happer warns that if people don't take action, the consequences will be catastrophic. This is the logic behind the Net Zero movement, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions entirely. Happer also talks about his work with the CO2 Coalition, a group of scientists, engineers, and economists who are concerned about the climate crisis. They aim to educate people about the dangers of climate change and try to encourage them to take action. If you are a scientist or engineer interested in joining the CO2 Coalition, you can contact Happer at his email address.
01:10:00 In this section, Will Happer discusses his motivation for advocating for increased carbon dioxide emissions and working towards a more environmentally-friendly society. He believes that the effort is pro bono, done out of concern for the well-being of future generations. Happer emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue of climate change and hopes others will join him in the effort to address it. While he acknowledges that it may be difficult to change society's attitudes, he is optimistic that it will eventually happen in a less dramatic manner and believes that it is worthwhile work to do.