Global Warming Overstated?

An interesting UK media analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has concluded that some British reporting on climate change amounts to "climate porn."

"Apocalyptic visions of climate change used by newspapers, environmental groups and the UK government amount to "climate porn", a think-tank says."

In reading through the article, it becomes clear that the complaint if the IPPR is not that some of the reporting is overly dramatic, or even untrue, but that it makes people feel "hopeless." They also complain that it makes the efforts being made by the government seem insignificant.

The analysis by the IPPR speaks volumes to the unwillingness to truly address global warming and the changes it demands of us. Problematically, if global warming is soft-pedaled to the public, then the recognition of need for significant change is not communicated. Hence, the changes either will not be pursued, or will be resisted by the people.

On the other hand, if people are fully aware of global warming and the consequences that we face, we might actually demand changes that will challenge the status quo - business as usual. The vested interests of the globalized economy and corporate hegemony are part and parcel of that status quo.

Global warming is all too real, and the change is necessary. We cannot continue on the current path and even mitigate the effects - much less prepare for them. The IPPR points at "he Independent, Financial Times and Sunday Times, as well as statements from environmental groups, academics including James Lovelock and Lord May, and some government programmes" as being "alarmist." These news organizations are not being alarmist. Even the IPPR does not contradict the reality of what is being portrayed.

I say, "go alarmists."