In this conversation, Glen Merzer speaks with Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop, a former principal scientist, about the pressing issues of climate change, deforestation, and the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. They discuss the increasing intensity of wildfires, the consequences of habitat loss, and the inefficiencies of meat production. Gerard shares his personal transformation towards environmental awareness and the need for a shift in agricultural practices to combat climate change. The conversation also delves into scientific contributions to climate policy and the underestimated impact of methane on global warming. In this conversation, the focus is on the critical role of methane in climate change, the impact of aerosols, and the importance of oceans in carbon sequestration. The discussion highlights the need for a shift in focus from fossil fuels to methane emissions, the consequences of industrial practices like bottom trawling, and the complexities of carbon accounting in relation to animal agriculture. The conversation also touches on the reactions to new research and the influence of the agricultural industry on climate science.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of Climate Change

02:46 The Impact of Wildfires and Extreme Weather

06:10 Deforestation and Industrial Beef Production

09:07 Monitoring Deforestation: A Government Perspective

12:02 The Consequences of Habitat Loss

14:54 Historical Context of Deforestation

17:46 Personal Transformation and Environmental Awareness

21:13 The Inefficiency of Animal Agriculture

24:10 The Need for Change in Agricultural Practices

27:01 Scientific Contributions to Climate Policy

29:55 Understanding Methane's Impact on Climate

34:15 The Methane Focus: A Climate Solution

39:35 Aerosols and Their Impact on Global Warming

42:20 The Role of Oceans in Carbon Sequestration

46:44 The Consequences of Bottom Trawling

49:30 Pasture Maintenance Fires and Carbon Emissions

52:23 The Debate on Carbon Accounting

56:40 Reactions to New Climate Research

01:01:20 The Influence of Animal Agriculture on Climate Change

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