Scene from The Newsroom: Interview of Deputy Director of EPA

[Ilsa]

This scene was incredible. Everyone was shocked. Yet, when it was over, everyone just went back to what they were doing as if it didn't happen.

WILL McAVOY: Mr. Westbrook, you've spent most of your professional career as a climate scientist in the public sector.

RICHARD WESTBROOK: Yes, 10 years as a supervisory management analyst in the Office of Environmental Information. And before that, I was a program specialist in the EPA's Resource Management Division.

McAVOY: And you have a PhD in climate science from Stanford.

WESTBROOK: Yes, and another in chemistry with a masters in biology.

McAVOY: Okay. Tell us about the findings in the report that was just released.

WESTBROOK: The latest measurements taken at Mauna Loa in Hawaii indicate a CO2 level of 400 parts per million.

McAVOY: Just so we know what we're talking about, if you were a doctor and we were the patient, what's your prognosis? 1000 years? 2000 years?

WESTBROOK: A person has already been born who will die due to catastrophic failure of the planet.

McAVOY: Okay, can you expand on that?

WESTBROOK: Sure. The last time there was this much CO2 in the air, the oceans were 80 feet higher than they are now. Two things you should know Half the world's population lives within 120 miles of an ocean.

McAVOY: And the other?

WESTBROOK: Humans can't breathe under water.

McAVOY: You're saying the situation's dire?

WESTBROOK: Not exactly. Your house is burning to the ground, the situation's dire. Your house has already burned to the ground, the situation's over.

McAVOY: So what can we do to reverse this?

WESTBROOK: There's a lot we could do.

McAVOY: Good.

WESTBROOK: If it were 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. But now No.

McAVOY: Can you make an analogy that might help us understand?

WESTBROOK: Sure. It's as if you're sitting in your car in your garage with the engine running and the door closed and you've slipped into unconsciousness. And that's it.

McAVOY: What if someone comes and opens the door?

WESTBROOK: You're already dead.

McAVOY: What if the person got there in time?

WESTBROOK: You'd be saved.

McAVOY: Okay. So now what's the CO2 equivalent of the getting there on time?

WESTBROOK: Shutting off the car 20 years ago.

McAVOY: You sound like you're saying it's hopeless.

WESTBROOK: Yeah.

McAVOY: Is that the administration's position or yours?

WESTBROOK: There isn't a position on this any more than there's a position on the temperature at which water boils.

McAVOY: The administration...clean coal, nuclear power, raising fuel economy standards and building a more efficient electrical grid.

WESTBROOK: Yes.

McAVOY: And?

WESTBROOK: That would have been great.

McAVOY: Let's see if we can't find a better spin. People are starting their weekends. The report says we can release without the effects being calamitous.

WESTBROOK: It says we can only release 565 gigatons.

McAVOY: So, what if we only release 564?

WESTBROOK: Well, then we would have a reasonable shot at some form of dystopian, post-apocalyptic life. But the carbon dioxide in the oil that we've already leased is 2,795 gigatons. So...

McAVOY: What would all this look like?

WESTBROOK: Well, mass migrations, food and water shortages, spread of deadly disease, endless wildfires. Way too many to keep under control. Storms that have the power to level cities, blacken out the sky, and create permanent darkness.

McAVOY: Are you gonna get in trouble for saying this publicly?

WESTBROOK: Who cares?

McAVOY: Mr. Westbrook, we want to inform people, but we don't want to alarm them. Can you give us a reason to be optimistic?

WESTBROOK: Well, that's the thing, Will. Americans are optimistic by nature. And if we face this problem head on, if we listen to our best scientists, and act decisively and passionately, I still don't see any way we can survive.

McAVOY: Okay, Richard Westbrook, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the EPA. Thank you for joining us.

WESTBROOK: Thanks for having me.

McAVOY: This is News Night. We'll be back right after this.

- See more at: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/pj-gladnick/2014/11/24/world-doomed-global-warming-apocalypse-newsroom#sthash.EKOKdbnC.dpuf

[CurtEastPoint]

1. That was riveting. And yes, life goes on... until...

I thought this was a very important story line and glad they introduced it.

[Ilsa]

2. Yes, and I thought the earlier train scene

was a wonderful way to develop this "minor" story.

And the delivery of those lines was fantastic. I thought the "Who cares?" line was hysterical. Great writing.

[davidpdx]

4. Well not only that minor story

but also the one with Maggie and the professor guy who teaches ethics.

[RiverLover]

3. Parody, but true--"And if we face this problem head on...I still don't see any way we can survive."

I guess there's no point then in even trying?

A few months ago, I was sitting on the water's edge with my dog, watching a Blue Heron as it stood in the lake looking for lunch. It was a beautiful, peaceful scene. I found myself silently apologizing to it for the eventual extinction of its species(along with everything else.) And I wondered how the Universe/God could let this happen. Let mankind be so greedy and stupid.

We are, after all, the only beings that have the mental capacity to understand what we do today effects future outcomes...

The only answer that made sense to my Q was the universe wants a re-do. The planet will go on & after everything on it is gone, it will slowly start over with life on earth. Maybe with luck, there will be no humans...

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. "The planet doesn't need saving..WE need saving.

the planet will be fine. It will just shake us off like a bad case of the fleas"

Remember when Carlin said that some years ago?

Many many people know the truth.
It is the key reason my offspring refuse to procreate, a position they have held for many years now.





[font style=color:#FF0000;]if you are feeling disillusioned, perhaps you need to ask why you had illusions in the first place[/font]

[davidpdx]

5. Yes, it was

And the look on Maggie's face like, "I just got my first big story and it's about how we are all doomed to die."

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Thanks for posting this! I watched it more than once...

And I remembered very well when I read this devastating environmental news right here on DU in E&E. The craziest thing was when Will kept trying to get Westbrook to give him something positive for the viewers. I found this totally believable, more's the pity.

[Ilsa]

8. And when the interview was over,

Everyone was stunned for a bit, then it was business as usual.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Exactly! And it was the very same thing IRL.

[SomethingFishy]

9. That was one of those things I believe they call "black humor"

so disturbing it was hilarious...

The looks on everyones faces and the fact that the guy refused to soften it up at all... priceless.

Also the whole bit on the train where the guy just couldn't figure out what Maggie was up too... hilarious...


I am so going to miss this show, I can't believe there are only 3 episodes left..

[Ilsa]

11. Oh yeah! Hubby doesn't watch,

but i showed him this segment, and he howled! And cried!