Episode
#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
1:29:38
Published: Sat May 22 2021
Description
Alex Epstein is an energy theorist, the founder and president of the Center for Industrial Progress and an author. During any discussion about fossil fuels, the focus only ever seems to be on the negative side effects, but what about the positives? Alex believes that we need more, not less fossil fuels to improve global human flourishing, and today he makes his case. Expect to learn why solar & wind energy can't fix our energy problems, how nuclear plants have become so demonised, why Alex thinks that climate change activists fundamentally hate humanity, his views on Extinction Rebellion, why fossil fuels reduce environmental catastrophes and much more... Sponsors: Get 20% discount on the highest quality CBD Products from Pure Sport at https://puresportcbd.com/modernwisdom (use code: MW20) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Extra Stuff: Buy The Moral Case For Fossil Fuels - https://amzn.to/2QyDkeE Follow Alex on Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlexEpstein Get my free Ultimate Life Hacks List to 10x your daily productivity → https://chriswillx.com/lifehacks/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcast Email: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact
Chapters
Alex Epstein discusses the limitations of solar and wind energy, the demonization of nuclear power plants, his controversial views on climate activists, and the positive impact of fossil fuels on the environment.
00:00 - 05:24 (05:24)
Summary
Alex Epstein discusses the limitations of solar and wind energy, the demonization of nuclear power plants, his controversial views on climate activists, and the positive impact of fossil fuels on the environment.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
While the issue of climate change should involve the physical effects of rising CO2 levels on the climate system, the benefits of fossil fuels for energy production should not be ignored, as they allow us to use machines to produce value.
05:25 - 11:56 (06:31)
Summary
While the issue of climate change should involve the physical effects of rising CO2 levels on the climate system, the benefits of fossil fuels for energy production should not be ignored, as they allow us to use machines to produce value. People often think of climate change as purely a scientific issue without considering the benefits of fossil fuels.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The impact of climate change is not solely negative and often we overlook the benefits that fossil fuels bring, such as allowing us to use machines that provide comfort and ease in our daily lives.
11:56 - 19:36 (07:40)
Summary
The impact of climate change is not solely negative and often we overlook the benefits that fossil fuels bring, such as allowing us to use machines that provide comfort and ease in our daily lives. The negative impact on the climate is only seen as immoral due to the idea that it's wrong for humans to impact it.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The benefits of fossil fuels far outweigh their cost, as there is currently no near-term replacement for the cost-effective energy that they provide.
19:36 - 27:00 (07:24)
Summary
The benefits of fossil fuels far outweigh their cost, as there is currently no near-term replacement for the cost-effective energy that they provide. From the global dissemination of knowledge to the development of life-saving vaccines, fossil fuels have played a crucial role in many of the advancements we currently enjoy.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The ocean is often treated like an inexhaustible resource, but it is necessary to recognize that the ocean is similar to a desert where certain things are required to sustain its ecosystems.
27:00 - 33:59 (06:58)
Summary
The ocean is often treated like an inexhaustible resource, but it is necessary to recognize that the ocean is similar to a desert where certain things are required to sustain its ecosystems. This poses a challenge as it is difficult to isolate what is needed and avoid harming the ocean in the process.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The topic of "the environment" is often oversimplified to mean anything related to being "green."
33:59 - 41:42 (07:43)
Summary
The topic of "the environment" is often oversimplified to mean anything related to being "green." In reality, the impact on nature can be both positive and negative, depending on the context, and issues like pollution can be exacerbated by a lack of property rights.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains how fossil fuels have made human life better because they are naturally concentrated energy and have an unbelievable amount of stored and deployable energy.
41:42 - 47:56 (06:13)
Summary
Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains how fossil fuels have made human life better because they are naturally concentrated energy and have an unbelievable amount of stored and deployable energy.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
In a conversation about the potential for nuclear energy to help combat the climate crisis, Elon Musk and Bill Gates have had differing perspectives on the safety and waste produced by nuclear compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
47:56 - 50:38 (02:42)
Summary
In a conversation about the potential for nuclear energy to help combat the climate crisis, Elon Musk and Bill Gates have had differing perspectives on the safety and waste produced by nuclear compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The concept of nuclear energy as the safest source of energy should be on our minds.
50:38 - 55:14 (04:35)
Summary
The concept of nuclear energy as the safest source of energy should be on our minds. This is because the energy produced from nuclear is the safest form of energy ever created, and is actually a hybrid of energy production and a revolutionary weapon that has never been tried or considered in any civilized part of the world.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker argues that nature has concentrated and stored large amounts of energy in fossil fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectricity, and humans simply have to release them, as evidenced by the devastating impact of planes crashing into buildings and the use of oil-powered tools in tree cutting and transportation.
55:14 - 59:52 (04:38)
Summary
The speaker argues that nature has concentrated and stored large amounts of energy in fossil fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectricity, and humans simply have to release them, as evidenced by the devastating impact of planes crashing into buildings and the use of oil-powered tools in tree cutting and transportation.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The push to replace reliable power plants with unreliable ones like solar, wind and batteries can jeopardize the reliability and safety of the electricity grid, costing more than is necessary for infrastructure updates while introducing possible blackouts when the demand exceeds supply.
59:52 - 1:03:39 (03:46)
Summary
The push to replace reliable power plants with unreliable ones like solar, wind and batteries can jeopardize the reliability and safety of the electricity grid, costing more than is necessary for infrastructure updates while introducing possible blackouts when the demand exceeds supply.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The decrease in malaria cases does not necessarily equate to success by intervention programs alone, just like reducing carbon emissions does not necessarily mean addressing climate change, as it may also result from societal and technological innovations.
1:03:39 - 1:07:10 (03:31)
Summary
The decrease in malaria cases does not necessarily equate to success by intervention programs alone, just like reducing carbon emissions does not necessarily mean addressing climate change, as it may also result from societal and technological innovations.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Eric Weinstein discusses the impact of climate change on fires and the importance of modern fire management techniques.
1:07:10 - 1:11:31 (04:20)
Summary
Eric Weinstein discusses the impact of climate change on fires and the importance of modern fire management techniques. He also mentions the potential deadly consequences of droughts in China and the value of the climate in California.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this podcast, the speaker discusses the importance of avoiding catastrophic events, such as engineered or natural pandemics, which have the potential to cause significant harm to both human and animal life.
1:11:31 - 1:15:59 (04:27)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker discusses the importance of avoiding catastrophic events, such as engineered or natural pandemics, which have the potential to cause significant harm to both human and animal life. They emphasize the need to focus on avoiding large risks to save as many lives as possible in the future.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker reflects on the impact of technology on society and discusses the ideologies behind the push for carbon neutrality.
1:15:59 - 1:24:12 (08:13)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the impact of technology on society and discusses the ideologies behind the push for carbon neutrality.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker believes there is no evidence that the average Amtrak in the US can work effectively in promoting energy and environmental issues, and political leaders have many other issues to address besides energy.
1:24:12 - 1:28:44 (04:32)
Summary
The speaker believes there is no evidence that the average Amtrak in the US can work effectively in promoting energy and environmental issues, and political leaders have many other issues to address besides energy.
Episode#324 - Alex Epstein - Can Fossil Fuels Save The World?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Receive a 20% discount with code MW20 at Pure Sport CBD and an 83% discount with three months free plus a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited devices at Surfshark VPN.
1:28:44 - 1:29:37 (00:52)
Summary
Receive a 20% discount with code MW20 at Pure Sport CBD and an 83% discount with three months free plus a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited devices at Surfshark VPN.