Another Noble Journalistic Attempt at Balance

authordefault
on

Here’s quite a good Denver Post piece that tries to find the journalistic middle ground, with three scientists (Bill Gray, Roger Pielke and Chris Landsea) arguing against the climate change consensus and four (Kevin Trenberth, James Hansen, Christopher Essex and Chris Folland) arguing that it is.

The reporter did a good job canvassing some of the complications of climate change science and gave the last word to the consensus:
โ€œThe American government might not agree,โ€ Folland said. โ€œMost American scientists do.โ€

But the article still leaves an impression that scientists are lined up pretty evenly on both sides – which is a fiction. Regardless of the good work, and the likely good intentions, this ends up being just another victory for those who hope to delay a sensible social or policy response to climate change.

As long as the North American public continues to believe there are significant scientific issues unresolved – as long as President G.W. Bush can get away with saying โ€œI think there is a debate about whether it’s caused by mankind or whether it’s caused naturallyโ€ – the risks of climate change will continue to get worse.

Related Posts

on

Briefing notes obtained by DeSmog reveal the Carney government had major knowledge gaps about CCS even as it made the technology central to its climate plan.

Briefing notes obtained by DeSmog reveal the Carney government had major knowledge gaps about CCS even as it made the technology central to its climate plan.
Analysis
on

Leaders of the Alberta separatist movement are insisting they do not want to become the U.S.โ€™s 51st state, but their actions (and own words) say otherwise.

Leaders of the Alberta separatist movement are insisting they do not want to become the U.S.โ€™s 51st state, but their actions (and own words) say otherwise.
on

Opponents of climate action are taking advantage of the AI boom to attack the governmentโ€™s clean energy goals.

Opponents of climate action are taking advantage of the AI boom to attack the governmentโ€™s clean energy goals.
on

A new report has found that โ€œthe promises of planet-saving tech remain hollowโ€.

A new report has found that โ€œthe promises of planet-saving tech remain hollowโ€.