Ned Nikolov: “Meaning of global temperature” | Tom Nelson Pod #370

Ned Nikolov discusses the physical meaning of the global mean surface temperature, addressing critiques by papers from Essex et al. (2007) and Jonathan Cohler (2025) that question its validity. Nikolov argues that these critiques misunderstand thermodynamic principles, and presents his own analysis, supported by satellite data, which shows a meaningful correlation between global mean surface temperature and energy fluxes. He emphasizes the importance of using accurate scientific principles when critiquing climate science to maintain credibility.

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

00:38 Questioning the Global Mean Surface Temperature

01:24 Review of Key Papers

02:23 Arguments Against Global Mean Surface Temperature

04:29 Analyzing the Validity of Temperature Averages

09:47 Kohler's Perspective on Temperature Measurement

19:03 Empirical Data and Model Comparisons

33:45 Understanding Temperature in Thermodynamics

37:49 Introduction to Temperature and Energy Concepts

38:09 Kohler's Statement and Its Flaws

38:34 Understanding Internal Energy and PV Energy

40:39 The Gas Law and Its Implications

43:08 Boltzmann Constant and Molecular Energy

44:11 Degrees of Freedom in Gas Molecules

45:06 Combining Equations for Total Energy

48:33 Temperature and Energy Relationship

49:11 Redefining Kelvin Using Boltzmann Constant

54:57 Global Mean Surface Temperature

57:55 Calculating Moon's Average Temperature

01:02:05 Latitude and Global Temperature Relationship

01:06:36 Critique of IPCC and Climate Skeptics

01:09:35 Q&A and Final Thoughts

Essex et al. (2007): https://www.fys.ku.dk/~andresen/BAhome/ownpapers/globalTexist.pdf

Cohler (2025): https://www.jpands.org/vol30no4/cohler.pdf

Nikolv & Zeller (2024): https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7418/4/3/17

Open Letter to IPCC: https://tallbloke.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/open_letter_to_ipcc_authors.pdf

My tweet about NASA and global average temperature being 62.45F, or between 56F and 58F, or something: https://x.com/TomANelson/status/1033711214109646848

https://x.com/NikolovScience

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