The Climate Realism Show
Join The Heartland Institute’s world-class climate and energy experts every Friday for an in-depth look at the latest climate science, policy developments, and environmental news. Our team of meteorologists, researchers, and policy analysts cuts through the media hype to deliver fact-based climate realism you won’t find anywhere else. From debunking climate alarmism to exploring real-world energy solutions, we provide the balanced perspective and scientific rigor that’s missing from today’s climate conversation. Tune in live at 1pm ET or catch up on our extensive archive of episodes featuring leading experts, groundbreaking research, and our popular “Crazy Climate News” segment.
Meet Your Hosts
Jim Lakely
Anthony Watts
H. Sterling Burnett
Linnea Lueken
Featured Episodes
Episode #163 | June 27, 2025
Two of the most prestigious physicists in America have written a new paper explaining why greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by human activity — namely carbon dioxide — cannot cause dangerous warming on the planet. Based on their findings, Dr. Will Happer and Dr. Richard Lindzen urge Congress to repeal all Net Zero subsidies, all laws requiring GHG emission reductions, and all restrictions on fossil fuel development and infrastructure.
Our special guest this week is Dr. Will Happer, who will break down how he and Dr. Lindzen reached this conclusion — and why continuing to push Net Zero without scientific justification is a recipe for economic disaster.
Episode #156 | May 9, 2025
A new paper by Dr. Judith Curry, one of the world’s most prominent scientists skeptical of a looming human-caused climate catastrophe, and economist Harry DeAngelo cautions investors and the public that “the apocalyptic climate narrative is a seriously flawed guide for public policy.” Why? “Because it radically overstates the risks to humanity from continued global warming.” Wide-scale suppression of fossil fuel use will not measurably change future temperatures, but “a sharp decline in quality of life would surely ensue.”
We are proud to welcome Dr. Curry back to the show to dig deeper into her paper. We will also cover the Crazy Climate News of the Week, including a “die-in” at NOAA, how the polar ice crisis narrative is melting, Bernie Sanders wanting to ban gasoline cars but still flying private jets, and why climate change is not causing kids to miss more school days.
Episode #151 | March 28, 2025
The scientific community and the media are focused almost exclusively by how greenhouse gas emissions affect the climate — from power plants to automobiles to your fireplace to your gas stove, and even cow farts. But what about that big ball of gas in the sky? Why does it get short shrift when it comes to the causes of climate change? The
Heartland Institute’s Anthony Watts, Linnea Lueken, Jim Lakely discussed this topic, asked for by many of the show’s fans, with one of the leading solar and climate experts in the world: Dr. Willie Soon.
Episode #144 | February 7, 2025
President Trump has struck the Biden administration’s climate and energy policy like a hurricane – from increasing energy exploration and extraction, to letting 1,000 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency know they could be fired at any time, to taking all mentions of climate change from the website of the Department of Agriculture, and more. But what will be the Trump Effect on the global climate agenda? Will the dedication to reorder the economies and societies of the world to “save the planet” being to crumble? And if so, which country will give up first?
Foolish Fossil Fuel Phase-Out — The Climate Realism Show #183 (Guests: Tony Heller and Craig Rucker)
The Heartland Institute November 21, 2025 7:52 pm