An Explainer for the Joe Rogan Listener in Your Life

Hats off to the folks at The Climate Brink, who recently provided a much-needed explainer for a late 2024 Science article. People like Joe, actor Mel Gibson, and everyone’s nutty uncle pounced on a graph in that paper (below) showing we are at a cooler temp than in the prehistoric past (you all, of course, knew this already) and used this figure as evidence that climate scientists are alarmist idiots. Not so! (You all knew this already too.)

But if you’re struggling to come up with a strong rebuttal, read this Climate Brink article.

Source: "A 485-million-year history of Earth's surface temperature", E.J. Judd et al. Temperatures are averages for geological periods. The shaded area shows values with a 68% probability.

TL;DR:

(1) CO2 and temperature move in lockstep;

(2) in the study author Emily Judd’s words, “the resilience of the planet does not directly translate our own species’ ability to adapt and thrive in the face of human-caused climate change;” and

(3; again by Judd) “the impact of anthropogenic climate change is (and will continue to be) determined by the rate of change (meaning how quickly CO2 and temperature change) much more than the absolute temperatures, themselves.”

The 2nd graph shows when mass extinctions happened, along with global temps. Go ahead and call it “just a correlation.” Happy reading. 

Taking Back the Conversation: Science Speaks for Itself

It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of social media debates and celebrity podcasts, but the reality is that the science of climate change is undeniable. The data has been telling us for decades—yes, decades!—that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate due to human activity. And if someone is still outright denying what is happening, they are so far behind that at this point, they are just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Rather than getting stuck in circular debates, it’s time to bring the conversation back to the core science. Climate change is not a matter of opinion—it is a measurable, observable reality. From rising global temperatures to more extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and increasing CO2 levels, the evidence is overwhelming. Those clinging to outdated, debunked arguments are not engaging in genuine inquiry; they are simply resisting reality.

The conversation should not be about whether climate change is real. That ship sailed long ago. Instead, we should focus on solutions and action—because the longer we waste time debating settled science, the worse the consequences will be for all of us.

Find Your Role in Climate Action

If you’re wondering how to move beyond debate and into meaningful action, check out our recent post: "Finding Your Role in Climate Action: A New Way to Think About It." This article explores how to create your own Climate Action Venn Diagram to identify where your skills, passions, and the world’s climate needs intersect. It’s a great tool to help you find the most effective way to contribute.

Find Your Specific Climate Action