Q&A is usually an exasperating program, peopled by some of the most argumentative figures in the Australian imagination. Last night’s edition was different, but not entirely: the panel was comprised entirely of scientists, eschewing the kind of political commentators the program usually trucks in.
The frustration was still there, though. And the frustration was aimed at people like frequent Q&A guest and radio kingpin Alan Jones, and their consistent refusal to accurately convey the terrifying realities of climate change.
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When a viewer asked whether Alan Jones’ recent statements about Australia’s comparatively minor release of carbon into the atmosphere was correct, CSIRO climate boffin Professor David Karoly was clear.
“Not everything he says is factually accurate,” Karoly said. “I am a climate scientist and Alan Jones is wrong.”
Karoly went on to dispute Jones’ claims about Australia’s carbon contributions, saying we actually produce roughly 1.5% of global carbon emissions, despite making up just 0.3% of the global population. It’s a small amount compared to some of the planet’s largest polluters, but absolutely massive when calculated on a per capita basis.
Alan Jones quotes figures that imply human CO2 can’t cause climate change because it’s so small. Is he correct? #QandA pic.twitter.com/0cG5qnJGnz
— QandA (@QandA) June 17, 2019
Immensely popular physicist Professor Brian Cox – who spent his last visit to the Q&A set absolutely schooling former Senator Malcolm Roberts – went on to say climate science modelling is actually exceedingly complicated. The subtext there: it’s probably best not to listen to definitive non-scientists like Jones when they spout figures.
The panel effectively argued that explaining the complexities should also be left to scientists; Karoly was also on deck to provide a very basic run-down of the greenhouse gas effect to viewers, offering a pretty no-nonsense depiction of how we’re cooking the planet.
Can you help me explain why CO2 causes climate change to my sceptical friends? #QandA pic.twitter.com/xALNBV7Ky3
— QandA (@QandA) June 17, 2019
The other panellists, including marine ecologist Emma Johnston, astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, and astrobiologist (side-note: what a cool title) Martin Van Kranendonk certainly touched on other vital topics, but the overall tone was one of wonder at the mysteries of the universe mixed with concern for the tiny pocket we inhabit.
Are scientists infallible? Fuck no, but given the increasingly dire worst-case scenarios offered by those concerned about climate change, it’s probably in our best interests to trust their best judgments. You can cop the full episode here.
