Summary of Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef | Tom Nelson Pod #191

00:00:00 - 00:40:00

In the "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef" podcast (Pod #191), Professor Peter Ridd challenges the common belief that the Great Barrier Reef is in a dire state, with significant loss of coral cover and deterioration due to human activities and climate change. Contrary to popular belief, Ridd asserts that the reef has more than 30% coral cover, and growth has actually increased since 2010. Farming pollution is not a major issue, as ocean currents effectively flush out contaminants. Ridd expresses concerns about the reliability of science and the suppression of dissenting voices. He discusses the need for transparency and the potential for social media to bring about change and expose false narratives. Ridd also advocates for the appointment of a "red team" of scientists to audit the work of the "blue team" to ensure scientific accuracy and the importance of having critical thinking skills to challenge institutional corruption. Ridd emphasizes the importance of considering alternative perspectives and the need for new institutions to foster skepticism and new research perspectives.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef" podcast with Tom Nelson (Pod #191), Peter Ridd, a scientist with a long history of studying the Great Barrier Reef since 1984, discusses the current state of the reef, contradicting media reports of its demise. The Great Barrier Reef is massive, with around 3,000 individual reefs, and all of them remain intact with healthy coral growth. Measurements show more coral growth at present than ever before, as corals grow faster in warmer water. The reef system naturally experiences loss of coral due to cyclones, starfish plagues, and other factors, but it ultimately recovers, resulting in a vibrant and resilient ecosystem. Despite popular belief, the reef hasn't been significantly impacted by pollution, pesticides, or farm nutrients from agricultural runoff. Contrary to assumptions, the areas with lower coral coverage are not indicative of dead or dying reef but rather the result of exposure during low tides caused by sea level rise over the past 4,500 years. Australian Institute of Marine Science data, which measures the coral cover of roughly 100 of the reefs, shows that 30% of the reef is covered in coral.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef" podcast (Tom Nelson Pod #191), Professor Peter Ridd discusses the changes in the Great Barrier Reef over the past few decades. Contrary to popular belief, the Reef has more than 30% coral cover, and the amount has more than doubled since 2010, with fluctuations caused by cyclones and other factors. The Capricorn Bunkers, a section of the Reef, shows significant growth and regrowth over the past decades. Coral growth rates remain constant and show no sign of decline over the past four centuries. Farming pollution is not a significant threat to the Reef, as massive ocean currents effectively flush out any pollutants that may enter the water.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the podcast titled "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef", Peter Ridd disputes the notion that farmers are significantly contributing to the deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef by increasing nitrogen flux via rivers. Ridd clarifies that the nitrogen flux coming from the rain is much greater than that from the farms. He argues that the public's hysteria about the reef's condition is unwarranted, and the issue is being politicized and hyped up without proper scientific evidence. Ridd shares anecdotes of young people who question the accepted narratives and are beginning to awaken to the fact that they have been brainwashed. He also discusses a controversial political issue in Australia, "The Voice," and observes that despite intense indoctrination, young people managed to resist it. Ridd expresses his belief that this generation, with their critical thinking skills, may bring about a change in perspective.
• 00:15:00 In this section of the podcast titled "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef | Tom Nelson Pod #191", the guest, Peter Ridd, discusses the current state of media in Australia and shares his experience being fired from his university for speaking about quality assurance problems with respect to the science of the Great Barrier Reef. He won a legal case against the university and is now free to speak about the issue. Ridd is currently working with the Institute of Public Affairs and produces content on YouTube channels such as Reef Rebels and is also writing books and giving guest appearances on podcasts to spread awareness about the issue of broken science and the failure of institutions to provide accurate information.
• 00:20:00 In this section of the "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef" podcast, Peter Ridd shares his concerns about the reliability of science and the replication crisis, which affects about 50% of newly published scientific literature. According to Ridd, this problem exists across various fields, including his own research on the Great Barrier Reef. He notes that peer review, a modern phenomenon that was not in place during Einstein's work in the 1900s, contributes to the issue, silencing dissenting voices in science. Ridd reflects on the history of the reef debate, where geologists, physicists, and biologists had a genuine exchange of ideas. However, in the 1980s and 90s, biologists took over and eliminated alternative viewpoints. Ridd finds encouragement in the availability of social media platforms, where false claims can be scrutinized and debunked by various individuals in a short time. The conversation opts for a more nuanced understanding of the role of social media in scientific discourse.
• 00:25:00 In this section of the podcast, Peter Ridd discusses the role of social media in bringing important issues to light, while also expressing concerns about the influence of elites and the potential impact of emotions on science. Ridd recalls historical instances where media outlets acted in unison to suppress critical information, such as during the appeasement period leading up to World War II in the United Kingdom. He argues that older people, especially those with little to lose, have a duty to speak out and challenge false narratives. Ridd also touches upon the need to separate emotions from objective scientific analysis and discusses the importance of implementing quality assurance systems within scientific institutions to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of research findings.
• 00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef | Tom Nelson Pod #191", Peter Ridd suggests that the scientific community is broken and in need of reform. He proposes that politicians, specifically in Queensland, Australia, should appoint a "red team" of scientists to audit the work of the "blue team" and force them to respond. Ridd criticizes institutions like the Ministry of Environment and universities for not being trustworthy sources of science, and expresses his belief that some politicians are more qualified to select scientists for such an audit. He also discusses the polarization between those in rural areas and inner cities regarding the Great Barrier Reef and its condition, with some tourists being influenced by negative media portrayals of the reef's state. The tourist industry is in a difficult position as they need permission to take tourists to the reef and cannot outright deny the impact of climate change while maintaining their business.
• 00:35:00 In this section of the "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef" podcast, Peter Ridd discusses the challenges of starting conversations about climate change skepticism. He shares his experience of bringing people towards the skeptical perspective by introducing the concept of the climate optimum and the myth of the Great Barrier Reef's vulnerability to warmer temperatures. Ridd also expresses concern about scientists and nobility controlling the narrative and suppressing dissenting voices, describing it as "dementor-like," causing fear and eroding joy. The conversation briefly touches on the ongoing court case between Michael Mann and Tim Steyn regarding climate science.
• 00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Peter Ridd: Science and the Great Barrier Reef | Tom Nelson Pod #191," Peter Ridd discusses the scientific institutional corruption surrounding the Great Barrier Reef and the alarmist beliefs held by many scientists regarding its health. Ridd, a former professor, expresses his concern for a former student whose career was destroyed due to conflicting views on the Reef's condition. Ridd believes that the Reef has continued to grow coral despite claims of destruction due to warming temperatures and sea level rise. He laments the groupthink mentality among scientists and the lack of room forskepticism or new research perspectives, as they "believe it" and label skeptics as "evil." Ridd suggests that new institutions are necessary to bring about change and challenge the established views.