New Yorker magazine
Staff writer at the New Yorker and author of Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives
PROFILE
Michael Specter
Guest
FROM Michael Specter
Which Way, L.A.?
Franken-clouds on the Horizon? As another international climate conference begins in Bonn, Germany, today, the world continues to warm and the human role grows ever more clear, as does the inability to reach meaningful agreements to slow emissions. One possible solution is scientists altering the atmosphere and cooling the planet with technology. But would that be the good news or the bad news? Some environmentalists say a geoengineering 'fix' might be worse than doing nothing. We're already messing with the atmosphere, and it hasn't worked out very well. Even research advocates seem afraid of the idea. But things are very likely going to get worse, and a 'Plan B' might look a lot better a couple of decades from now. We should start testing ideas now.
To the Point
Franken-clouds on the Horizon? As another international climate conference begins in Bonn, Germany, today, the world continues to warm and the human role grows ever more clear, as does the inability to reach meaningful agreements to slow emissions. One possible solution is scientists altering the atmosphere and cooling the planet with technology. But would that be the good news or the bad news? Some environmentalists say a geoengineering 'fix' might be worse than doing nothing. We're already messing with the atmosphere, and it hasn't worked out very well. Even research advocates seem afraid of the idea. But things are very likely going to get worse, and a 'Plan B' might look a lot better a couple of decades from now. We should start testing ideas now.
Recommended
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.