Summary of Gordon Tomb: “Net Zero: An Existential Threat to Grid Reliability – and More” | Tom Nelson Pod #120

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

Gordon Tom, a senior advisor for the CO2 Coalition, discusses the threat of the Net Zero proposal to grid reliability and our way of life. He argues that there is no climate emergency and that the burning of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions will not cause catastrophic warming. Tom references reports and articles suggesting that achieving net zero emissions is technically impossible and warns against the over-reliance on renewables due to their unreliability during extreme weather conditions. He also highlights public skepticism towards net zero and the importance of preserving grid reliability. Tom challenges the prevailing narrative on climate change, highlighting the benefits of modest warming and increased carbon dioxide levels and the significance of fossil fuels in supporting the global population. He critiques the demonization of fossil fuels and emphasizes the importance of Western civilization and preserving the freedom to produce electricity using affordable and reliable fuels. Tom discusses his involvement in questioning the climate change narrative and the success of his book and educational initiatives.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Gordon Tom, a senior advisor for the CO2 Coalition, discusses the threat of the Net Zero proposal to the electric grid and our way of life. He starts off by stating that there is no climate emergency and that the modern warming of the climate is neither unusual nor unprecedented. He highlights that CO2 levels are near a record low and that increases in atmospheric CO2 follow warming periods rather than precede them. Gordon argues that the burning of fossil fuels and the carbon dioxide they emit will not cause catastrophic warming and that any rise in temperature is likely to be too small to notice. He emphasizes that the pursuit of Net Zero, the elimination of carbon dioxide emissions, is technically impossible, environmentally damaging, and unnecessary.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the feasibility of achieving net zero emissions and the potential negative impacts on grid reliability. He references a report by the Electric Power Research Institute and an article by Steve Malloy, both of which suggest that clean electricity, electrification, and efficiency alone are not sufficient to achieve net zero by 2050. The speaker argues that the cost of battery storage needed to replace fossil fuels with wind and solar power would be prohibitively expensive and warns against the over-reliance on renewables, citing instances of power failures during extreme weather conditions. He highlights the importance of preserving and addressing the risks associated with retiring fossil fuel plants too quickly to ensure grid reliability.
• 00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the issue of grid reliability and how it is affected by government policies promoting renewable energy. The speaker highlights a book called "Shorting the Grid" by Meredith Angwin, which argues that politicians often ignore the fact that renewable sources like solar and wind are not reliable enough to meet the demand for electricity. Despite decades of subsidies and support for renewables, their capacity remains in the single digits percentage-wise. The speaker also mentions a poll that shows only a small percentage of Americans believe that achieving net-zero emissions is possible. Furthermore, the speaker refers to a paper published by the CO2 Coalition, which argues that the concept of net zero is scientifically invalid and threatens the lives of billions of people. The paper's authors include professors from Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Among the paper's findings is that extreme weather is not more severe or frequent due to climate change, contrary to what net-zero proponents claim. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of listening to public opinion and the need for energy independence.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses a paper by Dr. Ender Goklani that challenges the prevailing narrative on climate change. The paper highlights scientific research that contradicts the so-called consensus on man-made global warming and argues that the benefits of modest warming and increased carbon dioxide levels are often overlooked. It also emphasizes the crucial role of fossil fuels in increasing agricultural productivity and supporting the growing global population. Additionally, the speaker points out that renewable energy sources like solar and wind require significantly more land and resources compared to fossil fuels. The demonization of fossil fuels is seen as irrational and damaging, as critics tend to exaggerate or fabricate their negative effects while ignoring their significant benefits. Lastly, the speaker briefly touches on the importance of Western civilization and references the multicultural collaboration in the creation of the film "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" as a symbol of its significance.
• 00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses a performance he attended that showcased the beauty and variety of Western civilization. He mentions the importance of wealth and technology from our carbon-based economy in enabling the creation and accessibility of art to millions of people. However, he highlights the distinction between embracing global collaboration in the arts and the dangerous concept of Net Zero, which he sees as an obnoxious tyranny that threatens freedom and modern life. He urges listeners to stand up for the freedom to produce electricity and manufacture goods using affordable and reliable fuels like hydrocarbons, dismissing the notion that they are harmful to the planet. The speaker shares his experience of speaking at a Patriots Group event where he received a warm and engaged response from the audience. He mentions the success of the book and app "Inconvenient Facts," which he edited, and emphasizes his long-standing skepticism of the climate change issue.
• 00:25:00 In this section, Gordon Tomb talks about how he first got involved in questioning the narrative of climate change. He mentions reading Patrick Michael's book in the 1990s and later receiving a chapter from Greg, which eventually led to them co-authoring a book. He expresses his disbelief at the pervasive lies surrounding climate change and how it might actually be harmful to implement the measures being proposed. He also talks about the popularity of the book and the various formats it is available in, as well as the CO2 Coalition's educational initiative aimed at children.