Carl Sagan testifying before Congress in 1985 on climate change

And then congress immediately took action and saved the entire planet happily ever after the end.

Imagine Congress today allowing a scientist to speak, uninterrupted, for 15 minutes.

It’s embarrassing that the problem was so clearly explained and then no one took action.

40 years later, and people are still questioning this mans message

Hearing an intelligent mind speaking fluently and uninterruptedly for 16 mins straight is like brain massage to me, in this date and age.

I just realized I had totally forgotten what it was like when everyone in congress could manage to shut the hell up for a quarter of an hour until someone was done talking. Listening to Carl while they were doing that was icing on the cake. Miss this guy a lot.

Carl Sagan was as an inspiration, R.I.P. he could explain the most complex subjects in the simplest terms that even a child could understand. An extraordinary teacher.

38 years later, corporations are still patting each other's backs for how grandiose pledges they are making for next decade.

Viewing this video from 40 years ago, I am struck by how the senators are actually listening, quietly, respectfully, paying attention without interrupting Dr. Sagan during this cogent, intelligent remarks. A far cry from the performative nature of government hearings today.

How depressing to know this hearing took place in 1985. And yet here we are.

If Mr. Sagan was alive today, I can't imagine how discouraged he would be in seeing how little has been done to fight this global threat, due in no small part to the massive resistance by those who benefit from the continual poisoning of this planet, and those who so readily believe them.

I have never come across a more simple, eloquent explanation of a complex topic.

"If you don't worry about it now, it's too late later on." Carl Sagan, 1985

Within 10 seconds of the video starting you can see how much people's respect, intelligence, and general demeanor have changed. It's scary I had no idea it was this bad.

Climate change was a bipartisan issue back then because it was considered a “future threat.” As soon as it was clear it is a much urgent issue, the disinformation machine of the petro industry kicked in (they even hired the same PR firms as big tabaco) and the “cultural war” on climate change was born.

What a great last line. "...because we're all in this greenhouse together."

Nobody interrupts this man when he speaks... .learned more in 1985 than in 2022.

Imagine living in a time when people of different political beliefs actually listened respectfully to each other.

I never knew Mr Sagan or met him. But I did watch his documentary Cosmos, all of it as an adult in the early 2000s. The cosmos was broadcast in Malaysia in early 80s. But some very "smart" tv program executive in Radio Television Malaysia scheduled it after my 8 year old bedtime at 10pm. So I did not see it in the 1980s. I got my first telescope in 2003 after watching the whole cosmos series and realizing I actually love astronomy. I wished I watched Cosmos in 1980s and made a different career choice but I made the most of the past 20 years. 😊, I am happy. Tq Mr Sagan. RIP

One of my childhood heroes. The TV series Cosmos, changed my life. Great man.