Synopsis: Despite rhetoric from opposing camps in the energy/climate debate, there can be no question at this point that a diverse energy portfolio, consisting of both expendables and renewables, is going to be the status quo for the foreseeable future. The findings of scientific inquiry, however, do not actually support the current headlong rush down an uncharted path to achieve undefined Net-Zero carbon dioxide emission targets within the next twenty years. Recognizing that extraordinary statements require extraordinary support, a factual survey is presented in which each of the foundational claims of climate science are examined in an effort to elucidate whether the hard data either underpins or undermines apocalyptic prognostications and whether the measured changes to global climate have warranted escalation of the original appellation global warming, through a series of now-discarded epithets from climate change, to climate disruption, to climate catastrophe, culminating in the current hyperbolic designation: climate crisis.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Objectives: “At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:”

·         Critically examine foundational claims in climate science

·         Assess measured changed to global climate

·         Analyze net-zero carbon dioxide emission targets

Speaker: Thomas Gillespie, PG

CEUs: 1.0