Neil de Grasse Tyson and U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert On the Solar Eclipse, Geoengineering

Republican Representative Louie Gohmert

Speaking on a televised interview show featuring Neil de Grasse Tyson, Texas Republican U.S. representative Louie Gohmert commented on the recent solar eclipse, asserting that it is the changes in the moon’s orbit around the Earth, and the Earth’s orbit around the sun that are resulting in higher tempertures.  He went on to suggest that perhaps we could do something to restore these elliptical paths.  

This, of course is nonsense, but Tyson handled this like the gentleman he is.  Most people would have seized the opportunity to ridicule Gohmert, perhaps by pointing that he is, as always, laughably misinformed, and that he is arguably the least intelligent person ever to get anywhere near a seat in the House of Representatives.

Tyson quickly pointed out that this is not the true cause of global warming, but immediately segued, and I paraphrase: What Mr. Gohmert brings up is an example of an important subject, that is, geoengineering, humankind’s capacity to make large-scale changes in our planet so as to maintain the conditions that support life.

In addition to his vast knowledge of astrophysics, it’s Tyson’s grace and charisma that makes him who he is.