Harald Lesch acknowledges the existence of climate change

In a series of misleading videos circulating on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, astrophysicist Harald Lesch is portrayed as contradicting himself on the issue of climate change. However, a closer look at the original videos reveals that this is a misunderstanding of the context.

The videos, which first appeared on TikTok in April 2023 and have since been shared on other platforms, consist of three statements by Lesch taken out of context. The alleged contradiction in the video is based on three statements by Lesch: he explains how ice ages occur, that we are currently in a warm period within an ice age, and warns that our planet should not become any warmer.

The first original clip used as a basis for the montage comes from a 2001 episode of "Alpha Centauri" titled "Why do ice ages occur?" available in the ARD media library. In the original video, Lesch explains that we are currently in an ice age because there are permanent large ice masses on Earth, a definition that is scientifically recognized. He goes on to explain that we are currently in a warm phase within an overarching ice age - a geologically rare state where ice masses exist permanently at the poles.

Lesch emphasizes that ice ages highlight the instability of the Earth's climate, with temperature changes of up to 14-15 degrees within ten years being possible. At 20:32 in the video, Lesch warns that we must not further heat the planet Earth and ensure it does not get any warmer, referring to the current climate crisis due to greenhouse gas emissions.

It is important to note that the climate has changed repeatedly in the past due to natural causes, but the main cause of climate change today is humans. The current climate crisis is proven by numerous studies and IPCC reports. The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA have archived climate information and data to support these findings.

The second clip in the video is from the ZDF show Terra X in 2023, discussing synthetic fuels (E-Fuels) and the transport sector. This mixing of two different topics in the compilation gives the impression that Lesch contradicts himself, but this is incorrect.

In response to the misleading videos, it is crucial to emphasize that Lesch's explanations in the original video show that the apparent contradiction in the edited video is a misunderstanding of the context. The IPCC has published reports on climate change, and it is clear that the main cause of the current climate crisis is human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

The YouTube video about Harald Lesch's warning on Earth's warming in 2023 was uploaded by the channel "Terra X Lesch & Co," which is associated with Harald Lesch and the Terra X series. The exact uploader name is not specified beyond this official channel reference. The clip can be found on YouTube for those who wish to view the original video in context.

In conclusion, it is essential to approach information with a critical eye and to verify the context before sharing it. The misleading videos that portray Harald Lesch as contradicting himself on climate change are a prime example of why this is important. The current climate crisis is a real and pressing issue that requires our attention and action, and it is crucial to base our understanding and responses on accurate and reliable information.