Climate Change 7of12: The History of the History of Climate

Lecture by Professor Richard Muller of the University California, Berkeley. Taken from Lectures 20 and 21 of the spring 2008 webcasts of Physics For Future Presidents. Also known as Descriptive Introduction to Physics. Emphasis is on conceptual understanding, rather than mathematics.

This lecture deals with the physics of climate change, the data on global temperature and carbon dioxide changes, and some potential solutions. Also covered are the many mistakes that can be made, including the trap of exaggeration. He warns against the danger of cherry picking and overstating the case. When people discover that the exaggerated case is not valid, they may dismiss the problem altogether. Professor Muller has researched this topic for many years and has co-authored a book with Gordon MacDonald called "Ice Ages and Astronomical Causes".

The reports of the IPCC are referenced much during this lecture. The full IPCC reports can be found here:
http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/assessments-reports.htm

This lecture can also be found here, along with many other lectures:
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details.php?seriesid=1906978515

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• climate
• models
• controversy
• ipcc
• hockey
• stick
• temperature
• co2
• carbon
• dioxide

[gggrow]

His shirt changed to blue from beige since the last part, part 6. Could you make it more obvious which parts are meant to be continued and which aren't?

[theinquisitor]

Well it's all the same subject. The only reason it's done in two different days is that they're timetabled lectures that only last an hour.

If I labelled them as two separate series of 6 videos with the same title it would be more confusing. Besides, the shirt gave it away so it seems it was obvious enough.

[gggrow]

Thanks for your fast reply. You needn't create two similarly titled series; but if you made clear the specific info about what's going on here, that would be great. Is this the lecture which immediately followed the lecture of videos 1-6? I haven't watched 7-12 (have taken a break at this point) so I haven't figured it out for myself yet.

[theinquisitor]

Yeah this is the start of the second lecture. Many of the topics in this course are covered over more than one lecture. Not sure exactly what you mean by making it more clear. Do you mean include something in the description box about it or something?

[david222444]

see climategate 'hide the decline' explained by Richard Muller

[ronpaulbot]

5:05 Muller is auditioning for the blue man group after the lecture.

[gertomaniac]

haha, nosepicking caught on video!

[EvanGarrettRogers]

Yeah, too many bozos out there talking about stuff they don't know... I'm one of em, but i'm trying to learn more!!

Also - Richard Muller has a large set of Easily understandable physics lectures in the same set up as this one - i highly recommend watching them. Fantastic experiments and fantastic lectures all in all

[gggrow]

"Do you mean include something in the description box about it or something?"

Yeah, thats what I mean.