In the Hot Seats: Our Experts Answer Your Climate Questions

This month, you asked the questions, and our cohosts delivered! Join our hosts, Carrie and Robert, as they tackle listener-submitted questions, debunk common climate myths, and share highlights from season two. With producers Anna and Sarah along for the ride, it’s an episode packed with insights, surprises, and even a first-ever Pop Quiz that puts our experts to the test!

Up first, Carrie and Robert unpack season two of Fahrenheit 140, dishing on their favorite season highs and lows. Then, the quiz begins—will they rise to the occasion or get stumped by Anna and Sarah’s trickiest questions? (06:08, 12:02)

Listen along as Robert and Carrie answer your questions about…

• The Greenhouse Gas Effect: Robert explains how certain gasses trap heat. (17:15)

• Resiliency planning: Do you have to believe in climate change to plan ahead? (18:25)

• Can we slow it down? Is halting climate change possible, or are we just slowing the inevitable? (19:30)

• Can Earth heal itself? Carrie discusses the Gaia Hypothesis and the problems our planet faces. (22:04)

• Hurricanes and…toilets? Robert demystifies the Coriolis Effect. (24:36)

• Glaciers and Pathogens on Doomsday: Which will affect us first: ancient pathogens or major sea-level rise? (25:38)

• Responsible Cat Management: If cats are liquids, how do we plan for cat resiliency? (27:44)

…and bust these myths:

• Is it the Sun’s fault? Carrie and Robert tackle the real cause of rising temperatures. (030:02)

• What’s the deal with Chemtrails? Could jet planes actually help cool the planet? (31:00)

• Natural Variability: Carrie and Robert unpack the data. (32:50)

• The dreaded “Tipping Point:” Are we nearing this often-mentioned threshold? (34:25)

Sign up for our newsletter and look for more bonus content as we take a brief season hiatus! We’ll be back in February with more content, so make sure to follow us on social media and stay tuned! (And don’t forget to vote!)

Episode Links and Resources:

• Global Warming is Not Part of Natural Climate Variability (Scientific American)

• Climate Variability vs. Climate Change (University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership)

• Yes, Cats are Liquids Only in One Dimension (Science.Org)

• How would sea level change if all glaciers melted? (USGS)

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Theme song:

Syzygy by Robert E. Mace

We want to thank pixabay.com for providing the sound effects.

For more information about the Meadows Center, visit ⁠meadowscenter.txst.edu⁠.