SOLAR TODAY Blog

By Seth Masia
SOLAR TODAY deputy editor

 The local radio station KGNU hosted a panel discussion last night on climate science and the press, moderated by Jon Stewart of the BBC radio program Science in Action. Speakers were Peter Backlund, Lawrence Buja and Caspar Ammann, all of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR); Roger Pielke, Jr. of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Colorado; and Leslie Dodson, veteran network television reporter.

Most of the discussion focused on the ways that mainstream press reporters and editors misunderstand the way science works, and the ways that scientists misunderstand the way the press works. Ammann pointed out that scientists grow frustrated with continually answering the same basic questions, or having to deal year after year with issues that were settled years or decades ago. In response, he launched the realclimate.org website, for use as a reference by journalists.

Dodson acknowledged the usefulness of the website for background research, but pointed out that for television she still needs to interview real scientists. "I need something that moves," she said. Moreover, a typical television news report needs a new shot every three seconds. Even for a short 90-second story, that means at least 30 separate shots.

Backlund mourned the passing from newsrooms, under budget pressure, of specialized science and environment reporters. "Scientists are used to educating very bright graduate students," he said. "It's a challenge to deal with general reporters" with no science background whatsoever.

Some of the liveliest discussion followed questions from the audience. Asked "What can we do, personally, about climate change," Pielke noted that no amount of efficiency improvements is going to reduce worldwide energy demand. The only effective way forward, therefore, will be rapid substitution of carbon-neutral power sources for fossil fuel sources. Moreover, using as an example the 20-year process that eliminated ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons from the market, "When the technology is economically at hand, political issues fade away."

In summing up, Dodson said she was optimistic that, over the next few years, the American public will learn enough about climate and energy to take effective climate action.

That's nice to hear, but it ignores the polls. 75 percent of Americans already know enough about climate and energy to want carbon-capping legislation from Congress. Education isn't the issue. Countering the fossil fuel lobby, with its millions spent on Congressional arm-twisting, is the issue. An environmental reporter who wants a really big story should follow the money.