Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla sharply criticized billionaire Elon Musk for his recent climate change tutorial provided to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, calling Musk’s remarks on CO2 levels and their effects 'dumb'. Khosla's criticism came in a detailed thread on the social media platform X, where he challenged Musk’s interpretation of climate science.
Khosla took issue with Musk’s explanation of climate change and CO2 levels, particularly Musk’s assertion that CO2 levels exceeding 1,000 parts per million (ppm) could cause discomfort such as headaches and nausea. Musk had used this argument to emphasize the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, suggesting that CO2 levels beyond this threshold would not only be harmful to health but also unsustainable.
Khosla dismissed Musk’s focus on the 1,000 ppm mark as overly simplistic. "Regarding Trump’s point about temperature variations, you know as well as I do that it’s a dumb way to look at it. The aggregate macro trends are indisputable: the Earth is warming", Khosla wrote. He acknowledged that while Trump might not grasp the intricate details of CO2 ppm levels and their consequences, it was reasonable for Trump to consult with someone with a substantial track record in climate advocacy.
Khosla argued that Musk’s emphasis on the discomfort caused by CO2 levels exceeding 1,000 ppm was misplaced. "At 500 ppm, the likelihood of catastrophic climate impacts, such as large-scale disruptions to ecosystems, accelerated ice melt, and extreme weather events, becomes much higher", Khosla contended. He warned that exceeding 500 ppm could trigger irreversible damage and tipping points in the Earth's climate system.
Current CO2 levels are at approximately 420 ppm, Khosla noted. "Even with an annual increase of 2-3 ppm, we could be 25-40 years away from a climate disaster", he said. Khosla’s remarks highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and criticized the fossil fuel industry for its role in hindering progress. He accused oil and gas companies of concealing research on climate change and failing to engage transparently in the transition to renewable energy. "Instead of working towards a 30-year transition, they have been acting in bad faith despite fully understanding the implications", Khosla added.
Musk's attempt to educate Trump about the benefits of renewable energy and the dangers of greenhouse gases, although well-intentioned, faced strong rebuke from Khosla, who emphasized the critical need for a more accurate and urgent discourse on climate change.