‘It’s Dumb’: Climate Scientist Confronts Joe Rogan’s Misinformation on Global Cooling

A growing chorus of climate experts is calling out Joe Rogan after the well-known podcaster repeatedly misinterpreted a major scientific study—claiming the Earth is cooling, not warming. Paleoclimatologist Jessica Tierney, a co-author of the research Rogan referenced, described his interpretation as “dumb” and urged for a more accurate explanation to reach his massive audience.The Guardian

A Misreading of Complex Data

Rogan has repeatedly cited a temperature-reconstruction graph spanning 485 million years, using it to suggest that the Earth’s recent temperature decline shows global warming is overblown or natural. However, the study—published in Science—actually illuminates a dramatic, recent spike in temperatures well beyond natural fluctuations, and scientists emphasize the unprecedented speed of this warming.The GuardianGizmodo

Tierney, clearly frustrated, called Rogan’s interpretation “dumb” and said that if he truly wants to discuss the science, he should invite her—not celebrities like Mel Gibson or Bernie Sanders—to explain the findings on his show.The GuardianGizmodo

Why the Misinterpretation Matters

Podcasts like Rogan’s wield enormous influence, especially among younger listeners who often trust influencers more than traditional news outlets. When complex science is reduced—or worse, distorted—it creates confusion and mistrust around critical issues like climate change. Experts warn that this kind of misinformation undermines broader public understanding.The Guardian

Putting It Into Context

1. Study Highlights Rapid Warming
   The research Tierney co-authored shows that although Earth has cooled and warmed over geological timescales, the sharp upward curve in recent years—driven by human activity—is uniquely steep and dangerous.The Guardian
2. Rogan’s Explanation Lacks Scientific Basis
   Rogan zeroed in on a brief dip in temperature near the graph’s end, ignoring the broader context and the human-driven upward spike that follows. Experts say this is a textbook example of decontextualizing data to fit a narrative.GizmodoThe Guardian
3. The Urgency of Correct Messaging
   Climate scientists stress that the challenge now is less about whether Earth is warming— it’s about how fast and how dangerously fast. Communicating that is essential for informed decisions and meaningful action.The Guardian

Further Reading

• The Guardian offers an in-depth look at how Rogan misinterpreted the graph and how scientists are pushing back. (Guardian climate coverage)
• Gizmodo lays out how climate experts are dissecting Rogan’s comments and clarifying the real story behind the data.Gizmodo

Bottom Line

In a landscape where a single podcast episode can reach millions, the responsibility to communicate accurately—and listen to the experts—is more pressing than ever. Jessica Tierney’s invitation to Joe Rogan isn’t just about correcting a graph; it’s about bridging the gap between scientific fact and public belief, before misinformation deepens the divide.