In this episode of Stay in the Gray, Ryan takes a no-holds-barred look at the climate change debate. From political panic to profit-driven activism, he breaks down the real science behind global warming, the manipulation of public fear, and the financial interests tied to both sides of the conversation.
Is climate change the world-ending catastrophe the media portrays, or is it just another overblown political weapon? Ryan separates the facts from the fear-mongering, with a critical look at government policies, green energy, and how the media fuels the flames.
🔍 What you'll learn:
The actual science behind global temperature rise and sea level changes
Why the “12-year deadline” keeps resetting
How climate change panic is used for profit by both sides
Who's really paying the price for climate change (hint: not the ones making the biggest noise)
And the truth behind global climate agreements and the hypocrisy of international deals
🌍 Whether you're a climate skeptic or an environmental advocate, this episode pulls no punches, offering real insights amidst the panic.
Time Codes ⏱️/ Topics: 00:00 Introduction: Trapped Between Two Cults00:12 Global Pollution Rankings and the Paris Climate Accord02:05 The Reality of Climate Change04:01 The Science and the Spin07:57 The Profit Behind Climate Change08:50 Impact on Developing Nations09:36 US Climate Policy and the Paris Agreement12:44 Global Actions and Innovations14:09 Conclusion: A Reasonable Approach to Climate Change
00:00:00
We're trapped between 2 cults, 1 screaming mass extinction by
00:00:04
breakfast and the other yelling it's all a hoax, pouring diesel
00:00:09
into a jet ski on a random Tuesday afternoon.
00:00:12
According to IQ Air, the number one most polluted country in the
00:00:16
world is Chad, the African country.
00:00:30
They pay nothing to the Paris climate accord 0 just a polite
00:00:36
we'll try and lower our emissions.
00:00:38
It's a promise no money. The number 5 most polluted
00:00:43
India. This is different, one of the
00:00:45
world's largest populations and a big time polluter,
00:01:01
but they're classified as a developing nation, which means,
00:01:04
guess what? No financial obligation under
00:01:08
the Paris Accord. None.
00:01:10
Not a penny. We'll move on #21 out of all the
00:01:15
countries in pollutants, China, of course, they're the most
00:01:20
populated country in the world. We all know that they did pledge
00:01:24
3 billion to help to the accord. OK, not bad.
00:01:29
Guess who is ranked 116th in pollution?
00:01:35
It'll be the United States of America.
00:01:50
While we were in the accord, we pledged the same $3 billion as
00:01:54
China did. So let me ask, why is one of the
00:01:57
cleanest industrial nations on earth, US, expected to write the
00:02:02
biggest check or match the biggest check?
00:02:05
Hey guys, I'm back again. It is have to look May 28th,
00:02:12
2025. Let's talk about climate change.
00:02:23
They said we had about 12 years left to save the planet.
00:02:28
That was five years ago. So if you do the math, getting
00:02:33
getting closer and closer, it's funny how the clock keeps
00:02:36
running out and we keep waking up to the same overpriced gas
00:02:40
and the same fear porn headlines.
00:02:43
So is climate change the end of humanity or just another
00:02:47
political panic machine cranked to 11?
00:02:50
I want to break down the science, the spin, the side
00:02:56
hustles disguised as saving the planet and all the thoughts that
00:03:01
go into this. As you know, this podcast is
00:03:04
called Stay in the Gray. Sometimes I tend to get a little
00:03:07
outside that with my opinions, but I always want to talk to
00:03:12
anybody and hear all opinions from all sides.
00:03:15
That's the point of the title of the show.
00:03:19
So with climate change, or as the media calls it, the
00:03:22
existential threat that sells ad space and sunscreen and the same
00:03:27
breath climate change is happening.
00:03:29
I'm not going to deny that I'm not one of those deniers of
00:03:33
science. But no, the world is not ending
00:03:36
tomorrow either. Once again we're trapped between
00:03:40
two cults, one screaming mass extinction by breakfast and the
00:03:44
other yelling it's all a hoax, pouring diesel into a jet ski on
00:03:49
a random Tuesday afternoon. As always, I try and live in
00:03:53
reality. Unfortunately, this reality is
00:03:56
surrounded by a fucking clown show.
00:03:58
Let's start with what's actually true.
00:04:01
Global temperatures have risen about 1.1°C since 1880.
00:04:08
I'll go on and give you the rest of my stats. 2023, just two
00:04:13
years ago, was the hottest year on record.
00:04:17
And the sea levels, of course, have risen 8 to 9 inches,
00:04:21
depending on who you ask. To be honest, the measurements
00:04:24
vary depending on which expert is holding the ruler and which
00:04:28
agenda is footing the bill. But here's my issue with all
00:04:31
those The Earth is billions of years old.
00:04:35
We're working with climate data from the last 140 years or so, a
00:04:39
literal blink in geological time.
00:04:43
To act like we fully understand the planet's cycles completely,
00:04:47
or that we're the sole villain in this story is more than a
00:04:51
little arrogant. Yes, we have an impact, of
00:04:54
course, but pretending we're the first force to have ever heated
00:04:59
the planet is like walking into a 12 hour movie during the final
00:05:03
scene and claiming to understand the entire plot.
00:05:06
We can research, stay aware, and we can try and do better without
00:05:12
slamming the panic button every time the weather gets weird.
00:05:16
And it does. Doesn't have to be we're all
00:05:20
going to die or the other side. Who cares?
00:05:24
There's a middle lane, so let's use it.
00:05:27
I know the movies get us all wound up day after tomorrow.
00:05:31
San Andreas. And what was the other one?
00:05:34
2000 and 2012, I think was one. I enjoy those movies.
00:05:38
I'm not going to lie to you. I think they're fantastic.
00:05:41
Do I think that that's going to happen anytime soon?
00:05:44
I don't. If it does, I will raise my hand
00:05:48
as I'm flying the plane over the earthquake with John Cusack, and
00:05:53
I'll admit that I was wrong. Now, now in 2025, you have human
00:05:59
activity, of course, fossil fuels, emissions, industrial
00:06:03
waste, even the cow farts from the farms that contribute.
00:06:07
That part isn't controversial. I'm not trying to make it.
00:06:11
But let's talk, Let's take a little walk down the fear memory
00:06:16
lane. Back in the 80s, I was just a
00:06:19
very, very wee lad. I was told, or we were told.
00:06:22
I don't, didn't really give a shit.
00:06:24
I was five that we had like 20 years to act.
00:06:27
Then in the 2000s it was 20 more years.
00:06:31
Now it's 2025 and somehow we've still got 12 years left, minus
00:06:36
the five that when they said it. The bottom line is this is a
00:06:45
revolving expiration date of climate doom, a greatest hits
00:06:50
album of missed prophecies and over funded documentaries, and
00:06:56
one of my favourites. Al Gore said Antarctica would be
00:06:59
ice free by 2013. Didn't happen.
00:07:03
The Penguins are still thriving. Coastal flooding, of course, is
00:07:07
a big one, and that was supposed to be by about 2020.
00:07:10
It's weird though, that Miami property values don't seem to
00:07:14
care. They don't seem worried about
00:07:16
it. In fact, the lovely Barack and
00:07:18
Michelle Obama bought a $12 million estate, Martha's venue
00:07:23
right on the coast. They don't seem very concerned
00:07:27
about rising water levels. And just recently, by the way,
00:07:31
Antarctica saw more ice than the year before.
00:07:34
Some will say that's part of the cycle.
00:07:37
I do as well in a different mindset.
00:07:40
Yep, more ice. Antarctica.
00:07:42
The polar bears on the in the Arctic may not quite be having
00:07:45
the pool parties yet, but the Penguins?
00:07:47
They're chilling with more real estate to boot.
00:07:51
The science still valid for the doomsday storytelling.
00:07:56
Just stop. How about we talk about the
00:07:58
profit involved? This is a big one.
00:08:00
Follow the money, of course. The green energy industry is now
00:08:04
worth over $1.4 trillion globally.
00:08:08
Billions in government tax breaks, carbon credits,
00:08:11
political donations, climate influencers flying to urgent
00:08:16
climate summits on Gulf streams. Sound familiar?
00:08:21
It's the same formula we see in Big Pharma or social activism
00:08:24
groups, nonprofits that rake in donations while never actually
00:08:29
solving anything. And yes, I'll say it on the
00:08:32
other side of things. Big Oil.
00:08:34
His bank rolled denial campaigns for years without 100% substance
00:08:39
to back it all up. So let's stop pretending that
00:08:41
either camp is doing this for charity.
00:08:44
This is a theatre dressed up as saving the world.
00:08:48
So who's actually getting hit? That's a big problem.
00:08:51
While rich politicians argue over reusable straws, people in
00:08:56
developing nations are paying the price.
00:08:58
For example, in 2022, Pakistan's floods displaced 33 million
00:09:04
people, wildfires and heat waves.
00:09:06
Droughts hit some of the poorest nations the hardest, and they
00:09:16
have a a a lot harder time digging out of those holes.
00:09:20
It's not about beachfront property in Santa Monica.
00:09:23
It's about people with no AC, no insurance, and no choice.
00:09:27
The Global S is burning while the Global N debates Meatless
00:09:31
Mondays. It's just something to remember.
00:09:35
So what are we doing? the US joined.
00:09:38
This is one of the biggest controversial topics in
00:09:41
politics. Whether you're on the left or
00:09:44
the right, probably for the last, I don't know, 3 or 4
00:09:48
presidents. the US joined the Paris climate accord and then
00:09:52
left under Trump, and then rejoined under Biden and then
00:09:57
left currently again under Trump.
00:10:01
Honestly, it makes sense. You don't have to like Donald
00:10:04
Trump and you don't have to like the idea of people saying that
00:10:07
climate change isn't real. But let's get real, the Paris
00:10:11
Agreement isn't a global kumbaya moment.
00:10:15
It's a financial contract, and like most contracts, some
00:10:19
signatures mean more than others.
00:10:21
If you're wondering why leaving isn't the same as giving up on
00:10:25
the environment, here's some math that'll ruin your reusable
00:10:30
mug. According to IQ Air, the number
00:10:33
one most polluted country in the world is Chad, the African
00:10:38
country. They pay nothing to the Paris
00:10:52
climate accord 0 just a polite we'll try and lower our
00:10:57
emissions. It's a promise, no money.
00:11:00
The number 5 most polluted India.
00:11:03
This is different one of the world's largest populations and
00:11:07
a big time polluter. But they're classified as a
00:11:22
developing nation, which means, guess what, no financial
00:11:26
obligation under the Paris accord.
00:11:29
None. Not a penny.
00:11:31
We'll move on #21 out of all the countries in pollutants, China,
00:11:37
of course, they're the most populated country in the world.
00:11:41
We all know that. They did pledge 3 billion to
00:11:44
help to the accord. OK, not bad.
00:11:49
Guess who is ranked 116th in pollution?
00:11:54
That would be the United States of America.
00:12:10
While we were in the accord, we pledged the same $3 billion as
00:12:13
China did. So let me ask, why is one of the
00:12:16
cleanest industrial nations on earth US expected to write the
00:12:22
biggest check or match the biggest check while the dirtiest
00:12:27
they get a participation trophy for the accord.
00:12:29
You can care about the environment and still say yeah
00:12:32
this deal is bullshit. Leaving the accord did not mean
00:12:36
leaving logic, It meant recognizing that real climate
00:12:40
action doesn't require subsidizing the hypocrisy of the
00:12:44
top polluters. A few other actions that are
00:12:46
being taken right now which we should get behind is Europe is
00:12:50
apparently banned combustion engine cars by 2035.
00:12:55
Ironically, a lot of these same people are the ones who have a
00:12:57
problem with the biggest innovator in electric cars, Mr.
00:13:01
Elon Musk. So perhaps you should rethink
00:13:05
key scratching the Tesla or setting in a fire.
00:13:09
Get one for yourself. We'll see if that happens by
00:13:12
2035. China is their solar build out
00:13:16
is outpacing the rest of the world combined.
00:13:18
Kudos to China for doing that. If we can get solar power to be
00:13:23
effective and efficient, less costly, by all means, let's
00:13:28
rock'n'roll. However, it's not that simple.
00:13:31
As you see, sometimes you can't harness enough energy with solar
00:13:36
power to handle everything. This is a marathon, not a
00:13:40
Sprint, and CO2 levels are still climbing.
00:13:43
This isn't something that has just solved the issue.
00:13:46
Don't get me wrong, I love clean air.
00:13:51
I want oceans without microplastics and I'd love to
00:13:54
not grow gills by the age of 60, but global climate policy
00:13:59
shouldn't be a multibillion dollar group project where
00:14:02
America writes the check and everyone else shows up late with
00:14:06
a reusable tote bag and no homework.
00:14:09
So let's cut through this. Climate change is real.
00:14:12
I'll say it again, it's not the end of the world.
00:14:15
However, the people pushing fear, they're making money.
00:14:19
The people pushing denial? Also making money.
00:14:23
Meanwhile, the kids are being traumatized into thinking that
00:14:27
the earth will eat them by the time they get to college.
00:14:30
It's not save the earth or die. It's let's fix what's real
00:14:37
without screaming, scamming, or setting things on fire.
00:14:42
Climate change is happening, but the world is ending.
00:14:44
Panic Machine. That's just performance art.
00:14:48
It's effective because everybody's screaming and
00:14:51
yelling about this still, and sadly, people fall for it a lot.
00:14:55
Don't get me started on figures like Greta Thunberg, who comes
00:14:59
over here pointing fingers at everybody when she's not even in
00:15:03
out of high school yet. Who is she?
00:15:05
The same people who say we only have 12 years left are still
00:15:07
attending these climate conferences and tuxedos after
00:15:11
two decades or more of being wrong.
00:15:15
The same activists screaming about carbon footprints are
00:15:18
flying private, buying beachfront mansions, offsetting
00:15:23
their hypocrisy with hashtag. The cherry on top?
00:15:26
Most of the people yelling trust the science can't even define
00:15:30
what a woman is. So yeah, stay sceptical, stay
00:15:35
smart, Think about this on a more grandiose level and we'll
00:15:41
talk about it. There's nothing wrong with
00:15:44
continuing to research climate, to not pollute our oceans, to be
00:15:51
a little bit better with fossil fuels.
00:15:54
But to eliminate things like fossil fuels, to just think you
00:15:59
can flip a switch and turn everything off at once is
00:16:02
absurd. You can ease into this thing
00:16:05
while we continue to research it without panic, without
00:16:08
sacrificing other things that make life run in 2025 S As
00:16:15
usual, like and subscribe. Give this to somebody who's on
00:16:18
one side or the other to say, hey, look, let's just come
00:16:22
together and be reasonable about this.
00:16:24
Understand that money is involved, understand there's
00:16:26
more to it than just the science, and don't be a
00:16:30
hypocrite when it comes to these types of things.
00:16:33
So that being said, stay laughing, stay in the grave.
00:16:38
I'll see you next time. Love you guys.