Episode Details

Art Bell interviews Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel of the Union of Concerned Scientists about the accelerating reality of global warming. She explains the distinction between weather and climate, noting that climate science examines decades-long data and ice core records going back 800,000 years. Ekwurzel confirms that unprecedented heat-trapping gases are warming the planet and the debate over whether it is happening is over.

The discussion focuses on regional impacts, with Ekwurzel warning that the American Southwest faces increased wildfire risk, brutal heat waves, and prolonged drought. She describes how sea level rise threatens island nations and regions like Bangladesh facing flooding from both ocean storms and Himalayan glacier melt. She also shares findings from a survey showing widespread government muzzling of federal climate researchers, with officials blocking scientists from using the term "global warming" in press releases.

The first two hours feature open lines with callers discussing the honeybee colony collapse and the theory that cell phone radiation may be disrupting bee navigation. Art opens the show noting that bee disappearances have spread across Europe, with two-thirds of London's hives now empty, and cites Einstein's warning that humanity would have four years to live without honeybees.