Heartland Institute President James Taylor joined libertarian author and podcast host Tom Woods for a wide-ranging conversation challenging climate alarmism, exposing the costs of wind and solar energy, defending American energy production, and explaining why the United States must embrace artificial intelligence to remain competitive with China.
Watch below, and also see the time-stamped selections below the video to skip to different parts.
The Climate Crisis Narrative (0:58)
Woods opened by questioning the frequently cited scientific consensus on a supposed climate crisis. Taylor acknowledged that global temperatures have risen and humans likely contribute to warming, but argued that this does not establish the existence of a climate emergency.
“The playbook is just say everyone agrees,” Taylor said, criticizing attempts to shut down scientific debate rather than engage with conflicting evidence.
Extreme Weather and Climate Change (4:51)
Taylor challenged media narratives linking hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weather events to climate change. He cited satellite measurements showing a 24 percent decline in global land area burned by wildfires since 1998 and argued that long-term weather trends contradict claims of worsening climate disasters.
Trump’s EPA and Energy Policy (8:12)
Taylor praised the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the EPA’s greenhouse gas endangerment finding, calling the initiative a major step toward eliminating federal regulations restricting affordable energy production.
The True Cost of Wind and Solar (11:25)
Taylor challenged claims that renewable energy is cheaper than conventional power. Citing research accounting for backup generation, transmission infrastructure, and subsidies, he argued that electricity grids dependent on wind and solar are substantially more expensive than those powered by natural gas.
He also noted that U.S. electricity prices rose approximately 22 percent between 2020 and 2024 as wind and solar expanded their share of electricity generation.
Energy Prices and Affordability (21:32)
Taylor explained how rising energy costs ripple throughout the economy, increasing prices for transportation, manufacturing, food, and consumer goods. He argued that expensive energy policies effectively impose an additional tax on American families and businesses.
Climate Reparations and the Benefits of Warming (23:17)
When Woods raised demands for climate reparations, Taylor countered that rising atmospheric carbon dioxide has contributed to global greening and increased agricultural production. He also cited research on cold-related deaths to argue that modest warming can provide important benefits to human health and welfare.
AI Data Centers and America’s Technological Future (33:37)
Addressing growing opposition to AI data centers, Taylor acknowledged concerns about electricity and water consumption but rejected efforts to block technological development.
“America is not going to thrive on a low-tech future,” Taylor warned.
He argued that tech companies should pay their own energy costs without passing them to consumers, while America should expand reliable energy production to compete with China.
Is Climate Skepticism Winning? (38:56)
Woods concluded by asking whether public skepticism of climate alarmism is growing. Taylor expressed optimism that failed climate predictions, independent media, and greater public access to scientific information are gradually changing public opinion.
“The truth is winning out,” Taylor said.
For more information about The Heartland Institute’s climate research, visit Heartland’s Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy, Climate at a Glance, and Climate Realism.
