1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,240 Welcome back everyone. 2 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:03,000 Today we're gonna be diving into a topic 3 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,360 that's been making waves online, 4 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:09,160 especially after hurricanes, Milton and Helene. 5 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,160 We're talking about climate change conspiracy theories. 6 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:14,240 Yeah, it's a topic that really captures 7 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,120 the imagination, doesn't it? 8 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:17,600 And I think it's understandable 9 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:18,840 why people are drawn to them. 10 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,200 After all, when you're facing these massive, 11 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:23,640 powerful storms, it's natural to wonder 12 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:25,520 if there's more to the story, you know, 13 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:26,680 if something else is going on. 14 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,040 Right, like is someone out there controlling the weather? 15 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:29,880 Yeah. 16 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:32,560 And with climate change being such a hot topic right now, 17 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:34,920 there are tons of theories flying around. 18 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,200 Some are saying these hurricanes were like, 19 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:38,920 deliberately manipulated, 20 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,920 while others suggest there are hidden agendas at play. 21 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,440 It could be hard to sift through it all. 22 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:45,040 So I know you've done a bunch of research on this. 23 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:47,000 Where do we even start with all of this? 24 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,640 Well, I think a good place to begin 25 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,840 is by understanding that climate change conspiracy theories 26 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,400 aren't just one big unified belief system. 27 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:57,280 There's actually research on this, you know? 28 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,480 A study by Haltener, Douglas and Lifeville 29 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,760 back in 2021, found that only a small portion 30 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:04,920 of people who are skeptical of climate change 31 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:06,560 actually believe in these theories. 32 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:07,400 Really? 33 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,520 So it's not as widespread as it might seem online? 34 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:10,360 Exactly. 35 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:12,880 And even among those who do buy into these theories, 36 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,160 you see a huge range of beliefs. 37 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,040 Some are convinced it's all a hoax, 38 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,800 while others accept that climate change is happening, 39 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,640 but question what's causing it. 40 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:23,400 So it's much more nuanced than just saying, 41 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,440 oh, these people think climate change is fake. 42 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:26,400 Yeah, absolutely. 43 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,200 It's a complex landscape. 44 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,600 And for this deep dive, we'll be focusing on the theories 45 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,680 specifically about those recent hurricanes, Milton 46 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,920 and Helene, especially the ones that claim someone's directly 47 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:38,400 messing with the weather. 48 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:39,880 And to really get into that, we have 49 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,760 to look back at some historical examples that often pop up 50 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,760 in these discussions, things like HAARP, cloud seeding, 51 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:47,080 and Project Popeye. 52 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,080 OK, so let's start with HAARP. 53 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:50,680 What is it and why does it always 54 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,600 seem to be at the center of these conspiracy theories? 55 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,600 So HAARP stands for the High Frequency Active Ororal 56 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:57,560 Research Program. 57 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,760 It's basically a research facility up in Alaska 58 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,120 that studies the ionosphere, that layer of the Earth's 59 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:04,920 atmosphere. 60 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:06,640 OK, so it's looking at the atmosphere. 61 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,560 What does that have to do with weather control? 62 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,040 Well, the ionosphere is super important for radio 63 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:12,560 communication, right? 64 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:16,280 And what HAARP does is it uses high frequency radio waves. 65 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:20,640 It basically uses them to excite a small part of the ionosphere 66 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:23,240 for a bit so scientists can study how it reacts. 67 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,600 So it's like a giant science experiment using the atmosphere. 68 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,160 But I still don't get why people think 69 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:29,240 it can control the weather. 70 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:30,000 I know, right? 71 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,680 Well, some people are convinced that those powerful radio waves 72 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,840 from HAARP can be used to manipulate weather patterns, 73 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:39,360 you know, like create earthquakes or even control mines. 74 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,480 It's like thinking your microwave can conjure up a hurricane. 75 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:44,040 Sounds pretty out there to me. 76 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:45,920 So what does the science actually say? 77 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:48,040 Well, the science is pretty clear on this. 78 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:51,760 The scientific community has debunked these claims many times. 79 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,280 You see, the energy levels HAARP uses 80 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,280 are just not strong enough to have any effect on weather 81 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:00,160 systems, especially on a large scale. 82 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,120 It would be like trying to move a mountain with a feather. 83 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,200 Plus, the ionosphere is always changing, 84 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,200 always being influenced by things like the sun's radiation, 85 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:12,360 which are way, way stronger than anything HAARP can do. 86 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,640 So while HAARP might be a powerful tool for research, 87 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:18,840 it's definitely not some secret weather control weapon. 88 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:19,560 Right. 89 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,400 Now cloud seeding, that's another one that comes up a lot. 90 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:23,560 Oh, yeah, cloud seeding. 91 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,600 That's one that I always found kind of interesting, 92 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,040 because, well, it's a real thing, isn't it? 93 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:28,440 You're right. 94 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:28,800 It is. 95 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:30,560 Cloud seeding is actually a real technique. 96 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,360 And it does involve messing with the weather, 97 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,160 but only in a very limited way. 98 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,480 It's basically about scattering substances, 99 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:40,680 like silver iodide, into clouds to make it rain or snow more. 100 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,000 So it's like giving Mother Nature a little nudge 101 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:44,680 to get the rain flowing. 102 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:45,680 Exactly. 103 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:46,880 A perfect way to put it. 104 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:48,720 And people actually use it for things 105 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,240 like increasing rain in places that are having a drought, 106 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,480 or even for stopping hail storms to protect crops. 107 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:56,880 But the key thing to understand is 108 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,120 that it can only work over a pretty small area, 109 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:01,960 like a few square kilometers. 110 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:05,120 There's just no way it could create a giant hurricane 111 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:06,680 or steer it around. 112 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,480 So you might be able to make it rain on your farm, 113 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,600 but you're not going to be creating any Frankenstorms 114 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:12,640 with cloud seeding. 115 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:13,960 Not a chance. 116 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,040 Now this brings us to another historical example 117 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:18,680 people love to cite, Project Popeye. 118 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:19,960 OK, Project Popeye. 119 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,480 That sounds like something straight out of a spy movie. 120 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:23,640 What was that all about? 121 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:24,120 It was. 122 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,200 It was a military thing the US did during the Vietnam War. 123 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,240 And yeah, it involved cloud seeding. 124 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,240 Basically, the goal was to make the monsoon season last longer 125 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:34,600 over a place called the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 126 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,920 It was a way to disrupt the enemy's supply lines, 127 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:40,120 make the trail all muddy and hard to use. 128 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,320 They were basically trying to use the weather as a weapon. 129 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:43,920 Wow, trying to weaponize the weather. 130 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:44,920 That's pretty intense. 131 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:46,480 It was definitely controversial. 132 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,400 And honestly, it brings up a lot of ethical questions. 133 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,160 But even with Project Popeye, where they were intentionally 134 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,400 trying to change the weather, the changes 135 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,680 were just in a small area, and they didn't last very long. 136 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,440 They certainly weren't creating hurricanes or controlling 137 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,240 weather across entire continents. 138 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:03,880 So it seems like there have been attempts 139 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:05,920 to modify the weather here and there. 140 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,640 But these historical examples don't really 141 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,800 support the idea that someone's out there controlling 142 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:11,280 the weather on a huge scale. 143 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:12,040 Exactly. 144 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,680 And when you look specifically at hurricanes, Milton and Helene, 145 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,720 the science is actually pretty clear. 146 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:21,560 NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 147 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,400 has all the data on these storms. 148 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,320 They've really meticulously documented 149 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:27,320 how these storms developed and moved. 150 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,240 And what they found is perfectly in line 151 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:32,360 with how hurricanes naturally form and behave. 152 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:34,880 OK, so let's dive into the specifics of these hurricane 153 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,400 conspiracy theories. 154 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,280 What are some of the most common ones floating around online? 155 00:05:39,280 --> 00:05:42,440 And how is NOAA debunking them? 156 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:44,760 Well, one of the big ones is that Hurricane Milton 157 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:46,640 was deliberately steered. 158 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,280 Like someone was driving it around using harp. 159 00:05:49,280 --> 00:05:51,120 We already talked about why that's just not 160 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:52,600 scientifically possible. 161 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,240 But what's interesting is that this theory always 162 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,200 seems to come up whenever a hurricane does something 163 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:00,600 unexpected, like changing direction. 164 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:02,960 Right, like when a hurricane veers off course, 165 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,120 people automatically jump to the conclusion 166 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:06,280 that someone is controlling it. 167 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:07,680 That's it, exactly. 168 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,000 But when you look at NOAA's data, 169 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,000 you can see that the way Milton moved 170 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,760 was totally consistent with normal atmospheric conditions. 171 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:19,560 Hurricanes are incredibly complex systems, the winds, 172 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,520 the ocean currents, even other weather systems around them. 173 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,800 All of that plays a role in how they move. 174 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,200 So it's really about the chaos of nature, not 175 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:28,720 some secret government plot. 176 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:29,880 Exactly. 177 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,000 And then you have the theory that Hurricane Helene 178 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,160 was artificially made stronger to create panic and fear. 179 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:37,880 Again, it goes back to this idea that someone 180 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,280 must be behind these seemingly random events. 181 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:43,360 Like people are looking for a villain in the story. 182 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:44,400 Right. 183 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:48,160 But once again, NOAA has meticulously analyzed 184 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:50,040 how Helene intensified. 185 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:53,640 And they found that it was all due to natural causes, warm 186 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:55,840 ocean water, and wind patterns that were just 187 00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:58,560 right for making the hurricane stronger. 188 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,640 They've got all the satellite imagery, the data, 189 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,040 the scientific models to prove it. 190 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:05,760 Sounds like NOAA is using some serious science 191 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:07,920 to combat these conspiracy theories. 192 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:09,720 What else have they debunked? 193 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:11,760 We've got plenty more to uncover. 194 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:13,120 We're just getting started. 195 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,760 So we were just talking about how NOAA has been really good 196 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,120 at debunking those hurricane conspiracy theories. 197 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:19,440 Yeah, you mentioned there's more. 198 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:20,160 Lay it on me. 199 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:21,760 I'm ready for the next theory. 200 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,120 It's kind of wild how these things spread. 201 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:25,760 OK, well, how about this one? 202 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:29,360 That both hurricanes were engineered 203 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,920 as part of some government plot to control the population. 204 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:32,600 Whoa, OK. 205 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:34,280 That takes things to a whole new level. 206 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,240 I mean, hurricanes are devastating. 207 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,400 To even suggest they're being created on purpose, 208 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:40,240 it just feels wrong. 209 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,880 And it ignores the real suffering people go through, 210 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:43,640 because of them. 211 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:44,520 You're absolutely right. 212 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,080 We have to remember that hurricanes 213 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:47,320 are natural disasters. 214 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,720 They cause a lot of damage, and people lose their lives. 215 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,000 To say it's some scheme, it just diminishes 216 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,240 what people experience. 217 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:56,000 NOAA focuses on the science, so they 218 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,600 don't get into politics or conspiracy theories. 219 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,000 But scientifically, there's just no basis 220 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,480 for this population control idea. 221 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,360 Yeah, it's good to be clear about that. 222 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,720 What else are people saying? 223 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,760 Well, there's the one about the hurricanes, Pats. 224 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:10,240 A lot of people online are pointing out 225 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,480 that both Milton and Helene did some weird things. 226 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:15,040 They veered off course. 227 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,440 Yeah, I can see why that would raise some eyebrows. 228 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:19,520 Hurricanes usually follow certain patterns, 229 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,800 so if they suddenly do something different, 230 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,040 I guess it makes sense that people would wonder why. 231 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:25,280 Exactly. 232 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:26,440 But here's the thing. 233 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:29,720 Hurricanes don't always behave perfectly predictably. 234 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:32,600 NOAA has records of tons of cases 235 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,000 where hurricanes did unexpected things, 236 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,400 like suddenly changing direction, 237 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,520 all because of natural stuff. 238 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,520 Shifting winds, running into other weather systems, 239 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:44,720 even small changes in ocean currents, 240 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,520 all of that can make a difference. 241 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,360 So just because a hurricane acts a little strange 242 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,480 doesn't automatically mean someone's controlling it. 243 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:54,920 Right, and we have to remember, we're still 244 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:56,880 learning about the weather. 245 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,000 Our understanding of how it all works is still developing 246 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,560 to say that every time something unexpected happens, 247 00:09:02,560 --> 00:09:04,480 it's because of some conspiracy. 248 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,880 That just ignores how incredibly complex 249 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:08,600 these natural systems really are. 250 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,360 OK, so we've got harp steering the hurricanes, 251 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:13,960 we've got cloud seeding making them stronger, 252 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,000 and now we've got a population control scheme. 253 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:17,840 What else? 254 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:20,680 Well, you can't forget the classic cover-up theory, 255 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:23,400 the one where the media is keeping the truth from us. 256 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,400 Some people are saying that the media is deliberately 257 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,320 downplaying what's really happening with these hurricanes, 258 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,440 or even hiding evidence of manipulation. 259 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,080 Yes, the good old cover-up theory. 260 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,600 Seems like that one pops up everywhere these days. 261 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,480 But in this case, is there anything to it? 262 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,240 It's tough to say, really. 263 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,400 The media's role in all of this, 264 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:44,280 how they present scientific information, 265 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,880 especially with social media now, it's complicated. 266 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:50,600 Yeah, some media outlets might oversimplify things 267 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:52,480 or make things sound more dramatic. 268 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:54,320 But to say it's a deliberate cover-up, 269 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,320 you need some solid proof. 270 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,920 And as far as hurricanes Milton and Helingo, 271 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,400 NOAA has actually been very transparent. 272 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,680 They've released all kinds of reports, all the data, 273 00:10:03,680 --> 00:10:04,880 made it public. 274 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:07,640 They've even directly addressed these conspiracy theories 275 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:08,840 and debunked them. 276 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,560 So it sounds like NOAA is doing their best 277 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:13,040 to fight against misinformation. 278 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,640 They're trying to make sure people have accurate information. 279 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:16,480 Absolutely. 280 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,640 They've got a whole team of scientists and researchers, 281 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:20,760 and they're using years and years of data 282 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:22,320 to back up what they're saying. 283 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,480 You've given us a lot to think about today. 284 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:26,800 We've talked about some pretty wild theories. 285 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:27,800 I'm curious though, 286 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:30,960 why are these conspiracy theories so appealing to people? 287 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:32,960 Why are we drawn to these explanations, 288 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,160 even when there's no evidence to support them? 289 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:36,320 That's a really good question. 290 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,320 And it's something researchers have been trying to figure out 291 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:39,800 for a long time. 292 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,320 It's not always about rejecting science. 293 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,360 Sometimes it's about wanting a different explanation, 294 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,600 you know, seeing patterns where there might not be any. 295 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,520 Or maybe it's about wanting to feel like we have some control 296 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:54,480 in a world that can feel really chaotic. 297 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,000 Climate change is scary, it's complex. 298 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,560 So I can understand why people would want to find an explanation 299 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:02,680 that makes it feel more manageable, 300 00:11:02,680 --> 00:11:04,840 even if that explanation isn't really true. 301 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,360 It's like we're trying to make sense of the chaos. 302 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:11,000 If you believe there's a plan, even if it's a bad one, 303 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,160 it feels better than accepting that these events 304 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,880 are just random, you know, just part of nature. 305 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:16,840 That's a good way to put it. 306 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,600 Conspiracy theories can make things feel more orderly. 307 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:21,960 They give us a story, a way to make sense of things, 308 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:23,560 even if that story is made up. 309 00:11:23,560 --> 00:11:24,720 I get that. 310 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:28,320 But it can be dangerous when that desire for understanding 311 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,040 leads us to believe things that aren't true. 312 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:32,160 Exactly. 313 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:33,680 And it's important to remember, 314 00:11:33,680 --> 00:11:35,800 distrusting authority or institutions, 315 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,400 even the media isn't always a bad thing. 316 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:41,640 It's good to be skeptical, to question things. 317 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,960 But when that skepticism turns into believing 318 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,320 any conspiracy theory that comes along, 319 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,200 that's when it becomes a problem. 320 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,320 So how do we find that balance? 321 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,840 How do we encourage healthy skepticism 322 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,640 without falling down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories? 323 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:58,080 I think it all comes down to thinking critically. 324 00:11:58,080 --> 00:11:59,680 You have to examine the evidence, 325 00:11:59,680 --> 00:12:01,240 consider different perspectives, 326 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,000 and, like we've been talking about, rely on sources 327 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,440 you can trust. 328 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:08,080 And maybe, most importantly, be willing to change your mind 329 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,560 when new information comes along. 330 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:13,200 Being open to new information, that's so important. 331 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,120 It's easy to get stuck in our own little bubbles 332 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,200 surrounded by people who agree with us. 333 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:18,840 But if we want to really understand things, 334 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:20,480 we have to be willing to be challenged. 335 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:21,840 I completely agree. 336 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:23,760 So let's talk about the real-world impact 337 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:26,240 of these climate change conspiracy theories. 338 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,840 What happens when people actually start believing them? 339 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:30,880 Well, for one, it makes it really hard 340 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,040 to actually address climate change. 341 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:34,800 If people are convinced it's a hoax, 342 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:36,840 they're not going to support policies that could help 343 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:41,080 or make changes in their own lives to reduce their impact. 344 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:42,200 It's like trying to put out a fire 345 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,280 when someone's insisting it's just a hologram. 346 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:45,120 Exactly. 347 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,560 And the problem is, those consequences are real. 348 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:48,760 The sea levels are rising. 349 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,360 We're seeing crazier weather. 350 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,360 Ecosystems are being disrupted. 351 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:54,240 Food supplies are being affected. 352 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:55,560 These aren't just made-up threats. 353 00:12:55,560 --> 00:12:56,960 They're happening now. 354 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:58,240 And these conspiracy theories, 355 00:12:58,240 --> 00:12:59,720 they don't just affect individuals. 356 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:01,360 They have a bigger impact, too. 357 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,800 They make people lose trust in science and institutions. 358 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:06,520 They cause division and make it harder 359 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:08,080 for people to work together. 360 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,080 We've seen the same thing happen with other issues 361 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,040 like COVID-19 and vaccines. 362 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:13,640 It's like a vicious cycle. 363 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,520 The more distrust there is, 364 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:17,440 the harder it is to address the problems 365 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:19,320 that need everyone to work together. 366 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:20,440 That's exactly right. 367 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,760 And that's why it's so important to be aware 368 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:24,400 of these conspiracy theories, 369 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:25,880 to understand how they work, 370 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:28,600 and to use critical thinking to evaluate them. 371 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,120 So as we wrap up this part of our deep dive, 372 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:34,080 what's the main thing you want listeners to take away? 373 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:35,720 The most important thing is to remember 374 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:37,400 that questioning is good, 375 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,400 skepticism is healthy, 376 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,000 but critical thinking is essential. 377 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,360 Don't just believe everything you read online. 378 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,640 Look at who's saying it, think about the evidence, 379 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,480 and be willing to change your mind if you need to. 380 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:50,880 And when it comes to climate change, 381 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,800 where should people go for reliable information? 382 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,240 Organizations like NOAA are a great place to start. 383 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,800 They have scientists who are experts in this field, 384 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:01,240 and they're constantly studying 385 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:02,960 and monitoring climate change. 386 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:05,600 All their data and findings are available to the public. 387 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:06,440 Great advice. 388 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,400 And I think it's also important to remember that 389 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:09,960 while we've seen some attempts 390 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:11,920 to modify the weather in the past, 391 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:14,960 like Project Popeye, those were very limited. 392 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:17,320 They weren't controlling the weather on a global scale. 393 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:18,160 Exactly. 394 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:20,160 We have to be careful not to take those examples 395 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:21,320 out of context. 396 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:23,840 They don't support the idea that someone is out there 397 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:26,280 pulling the strings of the weather like a puppet show. 398 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:29,800 So next time you see a climate change conspiracy theory, 399 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:31,640 don't just ignore it. 400 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,920 Think about why it might be appealing, 401 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:35,560 but then use critical thinking 402 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:37,400 to figure out if it's actually true. 403 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:38,840 That's a great way to approach it, 404 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:40,800 because understanding these theories, 405 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,600 why they pop up and how to evaluate them, 406 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,440 it's all really important for making good decisions 407 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:48,920 in a world where climate change is a reality. 408 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,080 Well said. 409 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:52,120 Now it's time to move on to our final thought, 410 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,560 something to think about as we come up from this deep dive 411 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,600 into the world of climate change conspiracy theories. 412 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,720 So we've covered a lot of ground already. 413 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,240 We talked about harp, cloud seeding, even Project Popeye. 414 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:04,800 But let's switch gears for a second. 415 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:05,800 Let's say you stumble across 416 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,800 a brand new climate change conspiracy theory, 417 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:09,800 something we haven't even mentioned today. 418 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,760 How would you go about figuring out if it's legit 419 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:14,760 or just more misinformation? 420 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:16,280 Ooh, that's a good one. 421 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:18,680 And it's a skill we all need these days, right? 422 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:21,520 With so much stuff flying around online. 423 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:23,720 For me, I'd start by asking myself a few questions. 424 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:26,000 Like, first of all, who's making this claim? 425 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:27,200 Are they someone who actually knows 426 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,600 what they're talking about, an expert in the field? 427 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:32,240 Or is it someone who has a history of, you know, 428 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:33,680 pushing conspiracy theories? 429 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,640 So it's all about checking the source. 430 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:37,240 Making sure you're not getting your info 431 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,000 from someone who's just trying to cause trouble. 432 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,040 Exactly. 433 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,320 Then I'd want to see the evidence. 434 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,000 What are they basing their claims on? 435 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:48,800 Is it real scientific data from reliable sources like NOAA? 436 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,920 Or are they just using anecdotes or cherry picking data 437 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:53,880 or even making stuff up? 438 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,320 Conspiracy theories often try to connect things 439 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,800 that aren't related or twist the science 440 00:15:58,800 --> 00:15:59,920 to fit their narrative. 441 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:01,200 It's not just what they're saying, 442 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:02,560 but how they're backing it up. 443 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:03,240 Right. 444 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,000 And then I'd think about the big picture. 445 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,160 Does this new theory fit with what we already 446 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,000 know about climate science? 447 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,280 Or does it mean throwing out everything we understand 448 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:13,880 about how the world works? 449 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,280 If someone is making a really outlandish claim, 450 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:19,240 they need to have some really strong evidence to support it. 451 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:21,880 Kind of like that saying, if it sounds too good to be true, 452 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:23,200 it probably is. 453 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,280 Or in this case, if it sounds too crazy to be true, 454 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:26,040 it probably is. 455 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:27,240 Exactly. 456 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,360 And finally, I'd be super cautious about anything 457 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:34,000 that tries to scare people or make them distrust authority 458 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,400 or promises a super simple solution 459 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:38,560 to this really complex problem. 460 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,360 Climate change is a serious issue, no doubt about it. 461 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,680 But it's not some simple good versus evil story. 462 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:46,280 We need real solutions. 463 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:49,480 We need people to work together, not just fear and division. 464 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,280 So it's all about being a critical thinker, not just 465 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,760 accepting everything you see online at face value. 466 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:55,400 Totally. 467 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,920 It's about engaging your brain, doing your own research, 468 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,320 and even being willing to question your own beliefs. 469 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:02,400 That's such a good point. 470 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:03,720 We all have our own biases. 471 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:05,520 And it's really important to be aware of them 472 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:07,120 when we're looking at information. 473 00:17:07,120 --> 00:17:08,480 You said it. 474 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,160 And as we're wrapping up, I think 475 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:12,680 it's important to remember that these conspiracy theories, 476 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,360 they're not just some harmless thing 477 00:17:14,360 --> 00:17:16,400 people talk about online. 478 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:18,840 They can have a real impact on the world. 479 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:22,040 They can make people lose trust in science and institutions. 480 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,800 They can stop us from taking action on climate change. 481 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,520 They can even lead to dangerous and misdited actions. 482 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:29,760 It's likely been saying critical thinking is super 483 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:30,600 important these days. 484 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:32,440 It's not just a nice skill to have. 485 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,160 It's essential for navigating the world around us. 486 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,320 Couldn't agree more. 487 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:39,960 And remember, you don't have to be a scientist or an expert 488 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:41,400 to think critically. 489 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,720 It's about asking questions, wanting to see evidence, 490 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,400 and being open to changing your mind. 491 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,280 That's a great point. 492 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:50,720 You've given our listeners a lot to think about today. 493 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,280 And hopefully some good tools for figuring out what's true 494 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:55,440 and what's not when it comes to climate change 495 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:56,520 conspiracy theories. 496 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:58,920 It's been great diving deep into this with you. 497 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:02,080 And to all our listeners, stay curious, keep learning, 498 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,600 and keep those critical thinking skills sharp. 499 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:06,600 Because the truth is out there. 500 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,160 And if we put in the effort, we can all find it. 501 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,040 That's a perfect way to end this episode. 502 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,360 Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into climate change 503 00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:14,600 conspiracy theories. 504 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,000 Until next time, stay curious, stay informed, 505 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,240 and keep diving deep.