Summary of Jim Hollingsworth on his book “Climate Change, A Convenient Truth” | Tom Nelson Pod #195

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In the "Jim Hollingsworth on his book “Climate Change, A Convenient Truth”" podcast episode, Jim Hollingsworth shares his motivations for writing the book and discusses various topics related to climate change, renewable energy, and history. Hollingsworth, who has long been interested in climate patterns, became disillusioned with climate information presented in the media and decided to write a book debunking common climate misconceptions. Living through wildfires in his childhood, he also shares his perspective on wildfires and their occurrence on both private and federal land. Hollingsworth touches on the history of electric cars and their comparison to internal combustion engine vehicles and the challenges they face, such as high cost and battery replacement expenses. The conversation then shifts to criticisms of politicians pushing for oil reduction while continuing to use it themselves and the difficulties in removing fossil fuels from daily life. Discussing renewable energy sources, Hollingsworth highlights the limitations of solar and wind energy for aviation and heating homes in colder regions, noting that solar panels make little sense north of the 45th parallel and wind turbines are not reliable in cold weather. He also discusses the impact of wind turbines on wildlife and raises concerns about recycling and fire risks. Hollingsworth shares historical weather events, such as the massive flood in California in 1861, and criticizes the sensationalism of current weather events in the media, suggesting it is designed to build fear rather than solve problems. Finally, he discusses his concerns about the United States' handling of resources, especially regarding the oil industry and border control.

00:00:00 In this section of the podcast, host Tom Nelson interviews Jim Hollingsworth, author of the 2021 book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth." Hollingsworth expresses his long-standing interest in climate patterns, having operated a weather station in college and worked in a mine later in life. He became disillusioned with the climate information presented in the media and decided to write a book comprehensible to high school students and adults. "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth" consists of 48 short chapters, aimed at debunking common climate misconceptions. Hollingsworth shares his belief that much of what is reported in the press is incorrect, citing renewable energy sources' current inability to meet energy demand and the hype intended to instill fear rather than resolve issues. The conversation then shifts to forest fires, with Hollingsworth explaining that serious forest fires primarily occur on public land due to the lack of regular maintenance, such as keeping brush clear. He recalls his childhood experience in Southern California, where forest fires were a regular occurrence, contrasting the past norm with the current fear and concern.
00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Jim Hollingsworth discusses his motivations for writing his book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth." He acknowledges the existence of individuals who deny the truth about climate change and are unwilling to engage in conversation. Hollingsworth shares his frustration with those who refuse to face the truth, using an example of an acquaintance who is a Democrat and unwilling to discuss the issue. He then goes on to discuss his research into wildfires and the differences between fires on privately owned land versus federal land. Hollingsworth mentions how the use of coal oil, a byproduct of coal, saved whales from extinction by providing a better alternative to whale oil. The conversation then shifts to an anecdote about a plane crash in Mexico and the use of fuel by communities without access to electricity.
00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Jim Hollingsworth discusses the history of electric cars and their comparison to internal combustion engine vehicles, specifically gasoline engines. He mentions that Rudolph Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, preferred diesel engines over gasoline engineres but died before they became widely used. Hollingsworth notes that electric cars existed before gasoline engines, but they had limitations such as low top speeds, lack of widespread electricity availability, and safety concerns related to fires caused by seawater damage to batteries. The popularity of internal combustion engines, like the Model T Ford, led to their widespread use due to their affordability and practicality. Today, electric cars face challenges such as high cost, battery replacement expenses, and safety concerns related to their weight and the potential for fires caused by seawater damage. despite earlier advancements, gasoline-powered vehicles became the dominant form of transportation.
00:15:00 In this section of the podcast, Tom Nelson discusses his interactions with Jim Hollingsworth and his book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth." Hollingsworth expressed concerns about climate change leading to extinction of species due to urbanization. However, Nelson questioned Hollingsworth's understanding of nature, as he had never gardened and didn't account for the natural presence of weeds. Nelson also brought up the historical comparison of medieval priests threatening people with eternal damnation for not giving money to the church, contrasting it with current threats of "Hell on Earth" if carbon taxes aren't paid. Nelson criticized politicians and their hypocrisy, as they push for oil reduction yet continue to use it themselves. He mentioned an unnamed conference where governments from around the world gathered despite their reliance on fossil fuels. Nelson argued that the average person doesn't believe in the imminent destruction caused by climate change, and that the primary push for change comes from politicians seeking financial gain. He also mentioned the challenges of removing fossil fuels from daily life, which includes essential items like electronics, transportation, and food packaging.
00:20:00 In this section of the podcast, Jim Hollingsworth discusses the limitations of solar and wind energy for powering aviation and heating homes, particularly in colder regions. He points out that despite the push for renewable energy, solar panels make little sense north of the 45th parallel due to snow coverage and the angle of the sun. Furthermore, wind turbines are not reliable in cold weather when electricity demand is highest. He recalls an instance of a town in Texas attempting to run on wind and solar power, but failing to consider what they would do when the wind wasn't blowing and the sun wasn't shining. The conversation also touches on the difficulty of creating large batteries to store sufficient energy and the challenges of transitioning away from gas stoves and furnaces with a limited electrical grid.
00:25:00 In this section of the podcast, Jim Hollingsworth discusses the impact of wind turbines on wildlife, specifically mentioning the cancellation of a project due to its negative effects on whales. He explains how the changes in wind direction near land can be problematic and notes that fossil fuels, such as natural gas, continue to be a significant energy source despite efforts towards renewable energy. Hollingsworth also emphasizes the importance of carbon dioxide for plant growth and discusses Georgetown, Texas, and the challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources, including the length and weight of wind turbine blades.
00:30:00 In this section of the podcast episode featuring Jim Hollingsworth, they discuss various challenges related to wind turbines and the issues of recycling and fire risks. Hollingsworth shares an example of a situation where a train hit a wind turbine blade, which is not recyclable, and buries the non-reusable parts in the ground. The rest of the turbine can be turned back to crop land, but he also brings up the issue of fires that can reach up to 300 feet in the air, which local fire departments cannot effectively fight. Hollingsworth also recalls the story of the Johnstown Flood from his book, where a dam broke causing a massive flood with waves reaching 35 to 40 feet high and moving at 40 mph, resulting in numerous deaths and destruction. He utilizes this historical flood incident to emphasize the potential power of water and the devastating consequences of neglecting infrastructure maintenance.
00:35:00 In this section of the podcast, Jim Hollingsworth discusses historical weather events, specifically a massive flood in California in 1861. The flood, which lasted for 43 straight days and covered a vast area, resulted in the drowning of 800,000 cattle and the formation of inland seas. Hollingsworth emphasizes that if this event occurred today, it would be blamed on carbon dioxide emissions, but historically, similar weather patterns are fairly common. He also criticizes the media and some scientists for sensationalizing current weather events and temperature records, implying that the narrative is designed to build fear rather than solve problems. The author of the book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth," Hollingsworth questions the accuracy of measuring the rise in sea levels and challenges the assumption that carbon dioxide is the primary cause of climate change. He cites the example of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and suggests that the temperature rose before the increase in carbon dioxide levels. Instead, Hollingsworth proposes that all energy comes from the sun, and the amount reflected back depends on the amount of snow or ice on the ground.
00:40:00 In this section of the podcast, Jim Hollingsworth discusses the warming oceans and the release of carbon dioxide as a result of natural gas trapped in the deep sea rising to the surface. He also touches on the debated origin of oil and the recent US government decisions to halt oil development. According to Hollingsworth, the US has abundant oil reserves, yet the government is pursuing renewable energy sources despite opposition from some, such as himself, who believe in the potential of non-living oil sources. The conversation also includes mention of the controversy surrounding the pipeline between Russia and Europe, with Putin accusing the US of destruction.
00:45:00 In this section of the interview, Jim Hollingsworth discusses his concerns about the United States' leadership and its handling of resources, specifically regarding the oil industry and border control. Hollingsworth mentions that some utility and oil companies are pushing for wind and solar energy despite it not being in their best interest, as oil stocks continue to pay better dividends. He also touches on the topic of abiotic hydrocarbons, bringing up the presence of hydrocarbons on Saturn's moon Titan and questioning why they are there if they require life to exist. Hollingsworth then shifts the conversation to Greenland, sharing information about warmer temperatures in Greenland's past and a P38 aircraft that was buried in snow during World War II despite the ice cap melting. Despite initial assumptions, Greenland is not a flat island but rather a mountains and valleys landscape. The ice buildup wouldn't significantly impact the ocean levels, and the plane's burial has puzzled many, as it was discovered despite the ice melting.
00:50:00 In this section of the podcast, Jim Hollingsworth discusses his book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth," and shares his opinions on the Antarctic ice melt and the Greenland ice cap. He challenges the common belief that Antarctica is cause for impending global flooding, stating that it is actually a desert, except for a small peninsula where snow melts. Hollingsworth also questions the significant sea level rise that would occur with a 2.5-degree Centigrade warming from the depths of the last ice age, as ice does not melt significantly below the freezing point. He also shares anecdotes about publishing frauds and the discouraging financial costs associated with book fairs.
00:55:00 In this section of the "Jim Hollingsworth on his book “Climate Change, A Convenient Truth”" podcast episode, the guest discusses his perspectives on climate change and corrections to common misconceptions. Hollingsworth asserts that the melting of glaciers has led to only a few millimeters of sea-level rise yearly, which is not enough to cause significant flooding, debunking the notion presented in movies like "The Day After Tomorrow." The podcast also covers the topic of acid rain, explaining that the pH levels of natural rainwater and the ocean are not as extreme as commonly believed. The speaker further discusses the misconceptions regarding the dissolution of shells and the disappearance of coral reefs in the context of ocean acidity. He also shares examples of errors made in the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore and mentions the importance of acknowledging opposing viewpoints for a balanced understanding of the issue.

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In the "Tom Nelson Pod #195" episode, Tom Nelson delves into the legal dispute between authors Jim Hollingsworth and Michael Mann. Mann initiated a lawsuit against Hollingsworth over allegations that his book "Climate Change, A Convenient Truth" contained defamatory statements regarding Mann's research on climate change. The court sided with Mann, resulting in a million-dollar award. Hollingsworth remains hopeful for an appeal and voiced concerns about impartial trials in Democratic-majority Washington D.C. Regardless, Hollingsworth urged listeners to explore his accessible book on climate change.